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 19

Richard and Kahlan sat with Tolla Nakunam and Caref as well as Mitta and some of the Council members watching as the festivities played out before them. Drums continued to play as Aku danced to the rumbling sounds, the excitement of the feast never diminishing not even for a moment.

Richard found it near impossible to keep his eyes off of his beautiful Confessor seated next to him. Wearing the blue dress that Caref had given her, Kahlan was making it very difficult for him to remember how to even breathe. His mind was in a constant race of arousing thoughts, his body thrumming with anticipation of someday making love to her.

He watched as a smile lit Kahlan's face, something that Caref had said amusing her. Her face seemed to glow, her eyes sparkling again for the first time in what felt to him like an eternity. It had been so long since he had seen her happy like this, the beautiful light returning to her eyes again. He just hoped it would last.

He couldn't bear to see her so sad, so broken inside. It hurt him even more that she wouldn't let him in, refusing to allow him to help her. The heartache he felt inside was like being held beneath the water, unable to catch his breath sometimes, wondering how he would survive the next moment.

Just then, Kahlan turned to look at him, meeting his gaze and gracing him with that smile that lit a fire so fierce within he swore he should be consumed. He smiled back, allowing his eyes to tell her how much he loved her, wanted her right now.

His smiled widened as a blush rose to her cheeks, her eyes momentarily falling away from his. She had known immediately what he was thinking, had read his thoughts and it warmed him clear to his soul.

Suddenly, the beat of the drums changed, Caref's face lighting up. "It's time to dance, Confessor Kahlan," she excitedly announced, leaping to her feet and grabbing Kahlan's hand.

"Oh no…I don't..." Kahlan shook her head as she was pulled to her feet.

"You must dance for your mate!" Caref squealed in delight. "He will love it!"

Eyes wide, Kahlan immediately looked back to Richard for help, but she could tell by the mischievous grin on his face he was not about to come to her rescue. His eyes were dancing with amusement as well as excitement at the prospect of her dancing for him.

"Yes, Kahlan," Richard grinned. "Dance for your mate."

"Richard Cypher," she growled, earning a chuckle from her Seeker as she was dragged away with the other Aku women.

Tolla Nakunam clapped him on the back with a broad smile. "You will definitely enjoy this, my friend," he said.

"I have no doubts," the Seeker softly murmured, his eyes locked solely on his Confessor.

"Caref, I don't know how to dance," Kahlan tried again as the woman pulled her along with her.

"It's very easy; just follow what I do," Caref replied. "You Seeker Richard will love it. Many babies are made because of this dance."

Kahlan was sure her face was bright red by now as she stood between Caref and another Aku woman. "But I…" she began, her eyes suddenly finding Richard staring at her. The intensity in his eyes, the longing she saw in those warm depths made her knees weak.

Before she knew it, she was moving with the other women, doing her best to follow the slow sensual movements that felt so foreign to her. She felt so clumsy and not the least bit alluring as she slowly began to feel the flow of the dance.

Releasing a calming breath, Kahlan forced herself to relax and enjoy the excitement that vibrated through the warm evening air. Soon, she felt her body moving, dipping and turning in time with the tribal beat, her eyes searching out her Seeker once more.

Once their eyes met again, she never lost the connection as she continued to dance for him. She smiled softly at him, the look of heated lust filling his gaze causing her heart to hammer even harder beneath her breast. She slowly ran her hands over her body, imitating Caref as she danced for Tolla Nakunam.

Her head was beginning to spin with the fierce desire that was coursing through her now, the way that Richard was staring at her heating her straight to her core. The aching void within her longed for him to fill her, take her and make her his.

Richard couldn't have taken his eyes off of her even he had wanted to. Kahlan had so completely captivated him, enticing him with her beauty and the erotic way she moved just for him. His throat was suddenly a desert as she began to dance closer to him, allowing him to fully enjoy what she was doing for him.

His hungry gaze roamed over her long legs, over the curve of her hips, up to her breasts, along the slender column of her neck. Her dark hair fell over her bare shoulders, caressing the tops of her breasts the dress left exposed for him to admire. He longed to run his fingers through her hair, to remove that dress from her body and have her the way he did every night in his dreams.

His breath hitched, her eyes the darkest shade of blue that he had ever seen as she stared at him. His heart was thundering so forcefully against his chest now he thought for sure that it would burst. He wanted her so desperately he didn't think he could survive another moment without having her, without feeling her beneath him, taking him inside her and surrounding him in her heat.

"Kahlan…"

The aching breathless plea of her name on his lips nearly did her in, but she kept moving, dancing for the man who held her heart. She watched as his lips parted, his chest rising and falling a little faster. It thrilled her to know that he was enjoying what he was seeing, that he found her to be so exciting to him. She had never felt more free, more alive than she did at that moment. She wanted him to grab her and claim her as his, to carry her back to the Spirit House and make love to her all night long.

She wanted to forget about everything that was happening to them, to erase the horrifying memories of what Darken Rahl had done to her. She wanted to forget the headaches, the hurt and the guilt that continually filled her heart.

Unable to wait any longer, Richard swiftly stood to his feet, one hand suddenly sliding into her hair, the other roughly gripping her hip as he pulled her to him, his lips capturing hers with a hunger so demanding it took the air from her lungs. She wrapped her arms around him, pressing herself against him as her tongue begged for entrance.

After a long moment of losing themselves in the passionate kiss, they pulled back, suddenly remembering where they were at. They quickly looked around to find that no one was paying any attention to them as women paired off with their mates and began to disappear into their huts, Tolla and Caref long gone.

"I guess the party is over," he softly said, his breath ragged and hot against her face.

"I guess so," she murmured, her arms draped around his neck.

Richard stared into her eyes, the mutual longing dancing there making it difficult to even think straight. "We…we should go back to the Spirit House."

Kahlan nodded her head in agreement, allowing him to take her hand and lead her, her insides quivering with desire for him. She wanted him so badly she didn't think she could wait another moment without feeling his hands on her, his mouth against her skin.

Making their way through the village, Richard was doing his best to tamp down on the hunger for her that was thrumming wildly through his body now, his arousal growing more than difficult to ignore. But he couldn't make love to her now, not with the way that she had shut him out. They had to work things out between them before they could be together.

Reaching the Spirit House, Richard walked inside, his mind fighting to control his body as he unbuckled his sword, setting it down against their packs. Turning, he found Kahlan standing by the fire with her back to him; her arms wrapped around herself like had become her custom lately since waking from the Underworld.

He watched her in silence, his eyes caressing her every curve; longing to feel and kiss every place his eyes touched her, but the wall that she had erected between them was tearing him apart.

"He…he didn't rape me."

Her voice was so soft, so full of fear it pierced his heart as sure if it had been an arrow. "What?" he asked, taken aback.

"Darken Rahl didn't rape me," she repeated, keeping her back to him.

"Kahlan…" he softly said, coming to stand behind her but not touching her. "You don't…"

"I do…I have to," she replied, her head lowered, her arms still wrapped around herself. "You deserve to know."

Richard paused, giving her a moment to stop if she wanted to. "What did he do to you, Kahlan?"

"Darken Rahl…he…" she began, pausing to draw a deep shuddering breath before continuing. "He kissed me…touched me…in places I've only ever wanted you to touch me."

Richard swallowed back the bile that rose in his throat, doing his best to control the rage that was suddenly sweeping through him like a wildfire. He wanted to go to the Underworld and tear his brother to shreds with his bare hands for what he had done to her.

"I just stood there…and I…I let him…" she gasped as tears trickled down her cheeks. "I didn't try to stop him because I knew that he would enjoy it more if I fought back. I'm so sorry, Richard. I should have fought him; I should have tried to stop him…to get away from him."

Tears blurred his vision, the ache in his heart making it difficult to breathe. "Kahlan…" he softly began.

"It's my fault," she sobbed. "How could you even love me now…still want me?"

"Kahlan, it's not your fault," he heatedly replied, grasping hold of her and forcing her to turn around and look at him.

"I let him touch me, Richard! I betrayed your love!" she yelled at him. "I might as well have begged him to rape me!"

"You did nothing wrong," he forcefully said.

"When that wasn't enough, he threw me to the ground and kicked me, hit me over and over again," she shuddered as she continued. "I just wanted it to end. And then…he was suddenly on top of me, pinning me to the ground and I…I couldn't breathe. I wanted to scream…wanted you to come save me, but you weren't there."

"I'm so sorry, Kahlan," he murmured, stroking her hair.

"But I didn't want you there to see it," she shook her head, her face wet with tears. "If he was preoccupied with me then he wouldn't be trying to get to you."

Richard could scarcely believe what he was hearing. "Kahlan…"

"But then just before he could actually rape me, you saved me," she smiled softly through her tears. "I opened my eyes and you were there, holding me close to you and I was suddenly safe."

"I am so sorry you had to go through that," he told her, taking her face in his hands. "I should have gotten to you sooner, should have fought harder to save you."

"No, Richard, you saved my life," she shook her head. "You kept him from raping me."

"Why were you so scared to tell me what happened?"

"I was afraid you wouldn't want me anymore, that you would be angry with me for not fighting harder to escape him," she softly said. "I was so afraid you wouldn't look at me with the same. I couldn't survive that.

Besides, I was trying to save you anymore heartache. I didn't want to hurt you anymore than I already had, but I did by not telling you. I'm so sorry, Richard. Everything I do just seems to hurt you more."

"Kahlan…" he murmured, leaning in and swiftly kissing away her tears.

He couldn't bear the thought of her being afraid to tell him anything, but he understood her fear now and loved her even more for it. His hands slid up into her hair as he erased her tears with his lips, murmuring his love to her.

Kahlan's eyes fell closed as his lips finally met hers, the passion that had been simmering between them all evening set to explode now. She couldn't begin to believe that he would still want her after what she had just told him, but the way he was kissing her proved his love for her regardless of what had happened to her.

The kiss swiftly intensified, growing more passionate as his tongue battled with hers for control, so hot and demanding, his hard need pressing against her belly. He thrilled and excited her like nothing she'd ever known, her entire body humming with desire for this man.

A throaty moan escaped her lips, his hands gripping her tightly, his hips grinding against hers and keeping her where he wanted her. The feel of her hands stroking his back, her fingernails lightly scraping over his skin was driving him wild.

Retreating for air, he pressed his forehead against hers, trying to catch his breath. "Kahlan…" he gasped as she began to kiss and nip along his jaw, his head falling back in pleasure.

"Richard…" she whispered, her voice so sultry in his ear. "I want you...now…"

Richard moaned as she nipped at his ear, his breath coming in exerted pulls now. "But…Kahlan…we…"

"I trust you…with all my heart…" she murmured, her teeth raking over his earlobe and sending a shiver up his spine. "I believe you…"

Unable to stand it any longer, he grabbed her upper arms tightly, his lips claiming hers in a fiery rush of passion. He needed this woman more than the air he breathed, more than the blood that pumped through his veins. She was the pulse in his veins, his life, his everything. Without her, there was no him.

Kahlan ran her fingers over his chest and along his abdomen, following the cut of his hips that disappeared beneath the material wrapped around his waist. She felt him tremble beneath her touch as she began to explore him, the feel of her fingers brushing against his manhood causing him to break the kiss and press his forehead against her shoulder.

She quickly worked to untie the material, allowing it drop to the floor as Richard began to release her from her dress. He gasped as she touched him, her fingers wrapping gently around him and stroking him. He raked his teeth over her collarbone, his tongue and lips soothing the sting he knew he had caused, the feel of her hand on him quickly pushing him towards the edge.

He softly caressed her skin as he removed her dress, her fingers stilling as his mouth suddenly found her breast. She moaned as he tasted her, her hand releasing him to find his hair, holding him to her as she pressed herself further into his mouth.

His head was spinning with what was finally happening between them, the feel of her in his hands, the taste of her on his tongue as he teased and nipped, kissed and sucked on her. He couldn't get enough of her, wanting to ravish her and yet forcing himself to take it slow, to make their first time together to last as long as humanly possible. He had dreamed of this moment for what felt like forever. He was going to make it memorable for the both of them.

His name was a continuous moaning chant on her lips as he kissed her breasts, his large hands stroking her sides and exploring her. He could feel her heart pounding beneath her breast, her fingers tugging at his hair and urging him on.

He quickly reached down, grasping her legs and lifting her up as he carried her over to where their blankets were already waiting for them by the fire. Laying her down, he quickly moved over her as she leaned up to meet him halfway in a heated kiss, pulling him down over her.

He kissed her slowly, sensually, fully tasting her and allowing it to roll over his tongue. Wrapping herself around him, Kahlan rolled them over, taking control and positioning herself over him. She leaned down, kissing him hard as her hands began to explore him, his body on fire. He was swiftly losing what little control he still had left with the way she was straddling him, her breasts pressed against his chest.

Taking her face in his hands, he stilled her movements to stare breathlessly into her eyes as he caressed her cheek with his thumb. "Kahlan…" he softly panted. "I love you…more than you can possibly begin to know."

"I love you…with all my heart…Richard," she breathed heavily, her hand cupping the side of his face.

He tilted his head up, brushing his lips against hers as he raised his hips. Kahlan's head fell back at the feel of him so hard beneath her. She ground her hips against him, the feel of her so hot and wet against him pulling a throaty growl from his chest that caused a shiver to race up her spine.

Wrapping his arms around her, he rolled her over onto her back, her thighs holding him tightly between her legs. He caressed her thigh, bending her knee further up as he kissed her, his tongue stroking her mouth, an imitation of what they bodies would soon be doing.

His fingers skated along the smooth skin of her thigh before finding her hot center. Breaking the kiss, Kahlan tilted her head back, hissing loudly as he began to stroke her. She felt herself beginning to fall apart already and he hadn't even entered her yet.

She gripped his upper arms, her fingernails digging into his flesh as she bucked her hips in response to his touch. She had never known that being with him like this could ever feel so unbelievably wonderful, his touch so erotic.

"Richard…please…" she breathlessly begged him. "I need you…I want you…now…"

Richard nuzzled his nose against hers, his lips finding hers as he tried to calm the frenzied storm he had created within her. He wanted to prolong her pleasure for as long as possible, but he wanted them to come to completion together as one.

Kissing her, he took her hips in his hands, holding her firmly as he brushed against her. The feel of her so ready for him nearly pushed him over the edge as he slowly pushed into her. Kahlan cried out his name as he filled her, her eyes squeezed tightly shut against the pain that shot through her.

Richard kissed her softly, slowly, allowing her time to relax and adjust to him. He did his best to hold on for as long as possible, but the feel of her gripping him so tightly was driving him insane with hot pleasure.

He studied her face, relieved when she opened her eyes to look at him. She smiled softly, her hand coming up to caress his cheek as he began to move within her, deep penetrating strokes that had them both gasping and moaning with the ecstasy pounding through them.

Kahlan pulled her knees up higher, allowing him to thrust even deeper as she clawed at his back. She kissed him deeply, the feel of his tooth pendant tickling along her throat creating a wave of gooseflesh to ripple over her body. How she had fantasized about this, about him moving over her, the only thing between them the tooth pendant he wore around his neck.

The feel of Kahlan's nails on his back, the feel of her beginning to writhe beneath him was rapidly propelling him towards that precipice. He didn't think he could hold out much longer as his body moved of its own volition, his thrusts came faster, harder.

Kahlan could feel her magic raging through her, begging for release, but she was still afraid of confessing him. She bit down hard on her bottom lip, fighting against the need to let go, the taste of blood now on her tongue.

Seeing her teetering so near the edge, Richard began to tease her breast, desperate for her to come for him. With a scream of his name, Kahlan's magic tore through her and into him like a streak of lightning, shooting through him. He tightened his hold on her, holding onto her as her magic sought his soul.

The feel of her coming undone beneath him sent him spiraling over the edge as well, her name a thrilling cry on his lips as his limbs gave out on him. She cradled him to her, her hands finding his face, anxious to see his eyes.

Richard weakly opened his eyes, a smile tugging at his lips. "I love you, Kahlan Amnell…with all that I am…and all that I hope to be…I love you."

Kahlan smiled in return, tears leaking from her eyes. "And I love you, Richard Cypher…with my heart and soul."

Leaning down, he kissed her deeply, relishing the feel of her beneath him and amazed at how his fantasies had paled so mightily in comparison with the reality of loving her.