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 22

Cara slipped through the still dark woods with her usual stealth and catlike grace, her green eyes searching out something for the Wizard to eat for breakfast. She knew that his head injury was worse than he had let on, his occasional groans in his sleep and wincing on his face had told her as much.

She wished there was something that she could do for him, but unfortunately being a nurse maid had not been a part of her Mord'Sith training. She had cleaned his head wound as best she could last night before insisting he get a good night's sleep. She just hoped that it was enough.

She didn't know what she was going to do if he worsened or if the Aku decided to suddenly attack. She wouldn't be able to take on an entire village all alone.

She scowled to herself, wishing that Richard and Kahlan were here. She hated not knowing where they were or if they needed help. She felt absolutely useless when wasn't with them, watching out for them. She found her mind constantly worrying about them and it was driving her crazy.

Brushing her fingers over her agiel, she immediately felt the familiar shockwave of pain radiate up her arm, relieved that it still work, the bond she felt with Richard living within her. That meant that he was still alive at least.

She tried not to think of Demos Rahl or that he was the reason her agiel still worked. He was not the true Lord Rahl, would never be to her and she would happily teach anyone who thought differently.

Pausing beside a large tree, Cara began to wonder if Richard and Kahlan had been able to work things out yet. If they knew what was good for them, Richard would just push Kahlan to the ground, take her right there, and get it out of their systems. She knew it would help a lot of the problems they were having.

Of course with those two, she wasn't sure that they would ever get their attraction to each other out of their systems. She had a nagging feeling that nothing could ever keep from apart, their craving for one another never satisfied for long.

She absentmindedly tried to rub away the stiffness that had settled into her shoulder, a frown on her face. She was hoping to be able to find something for Zedd to eat for breakfast. She hoped that a hot meal would help him feel a little better. They had a lot of ground to cover today and couldn't be slowed down if they wanted to catch up to Richard and Kahlan soon.

Cara warily looked around her, somewhat surprised they hadn't encountered any Aku yet. They had only just entered their valley this afternoon, but still she didn't trust them. They had probably captured Richard and Kahlan and were torturing them right now if they hadn't been killed on sight.

They still hadn't come across any D'Haran soldiers yet either. It struck her as very odd that Demos Rahl hadn't sent any D'Haran Quads or Mord'Sith after them. It unnerved her not knowing what Darken's twin was up to or what heinous things he was possibly plotting at that moment.

He wouldn't just let them go so easily unless he had done or planned something that would ensure their return to him. The Seeker and Mother Confessor were too powerful to just allow them to escape. Besides, the way that Demos had leered at Kahlan had made even her want to rip his throat out. She could only imagine how enraged it had made Richard.

As much as she wanted to find Richard and Kahlan, she dreaded having to look into her Lord Rahl's eyes, knowing what he expected of her and knowing that she had failed so miserably. She knew what Zedd had said was true, but it didn't help lessen the guilt she felt inside.

She didn't know how she was going to be able to handle the disappointment that would no doubt fill his eyes if he knew. Would he still allow her to stay with them? Be their protector? She hoped that he would forgive her because they had somehow managed to become her family and she couldn't imagine being anywhere else but with them.

XXX

Richard lay on his side staring at Kahlan who was still asleep beside him, unable to take his eyes off of her. He still couldn't believe the incredible night that he had just spent with her, the seemingly endless love that had been made. It had been magical in every way imaginable and yet he had been untouched by her magic.

He felt a heated flush suddenly wash through him as he recounted her every kiss, her every touch, the feel of her welcoming him inside of her…surrounding him, the thrilling sensation of losing himself in her and surrendering to her love for him and him for her.

It had been beyond anything that he had ever fantasized about. Nothing came close to being with her like this, not even when he had made love to her broken half when she had been torn in two.

The emotional Kahlan that he had made love to had been sweet and tender, gentle and loving. It wasn't until he had made love with the real Kahlan now that he knew that something had been missing that night weeks ago.

This was his real Kahlan in every way, so very passionate with a deep need to love and be loved by him. He had been allowed to see the real her, all of her now. He had seen, touched and known the woman inside of her. He had experienced a side of Kahlan that he had never known existed, a sensual feminine being that longed to be released.

And he had been the only one to ever see it, will be the only one to ever experience it.

It put a broad smile on his face, so very proud to have been granted the amazing privilege of loving her, of being able to share his life with her. He never wanted anything more than her. Even before he truly knew she existed, he had somehow had some notion of Kahlan, had somehow been a hidden unspoken part of his heart.

Unable to bear not touching her a moment longer, Richard lightly brushed her hair from her bare shoulder, leaning over to plant soft kisses against the soft skin there. His tongue slowly slipped out to caress her, his lips finishing the task as he gradually made his way towards her neck.

Moving to straddle her bottom, he could feel her begin to wake, a soft breathy moan escaping. He smiled against her neck, allowing his warm breath to tickle her skin. She whispered his name, trapped in that hazy mist between slumber and awareness.

Richard knew that he should let her sleep, but he couldn't wait any longer to be with her. Besides, he could tell the sun had been up for a little while. They would be coming for them soon to start the gathering. He wanted to make love with her again before they had to leave the Spirit House, his hunger for her awakening all over again.

He kissed along her spine, blazing a tortuously slow trail that roused her from her peaceful sleep. He felt her begin to shift beneath him, her muscles gently flexing. She raised her bottom ever so subtly, brushing it against his manhood and earning a throaty groan in response.

Pulling the blanket from her body, he returned to his game of torture, his hands grasping her torso, his fingers brushing along the sides of her breasts as he kissed his way to her bottom. She spread her legs a little for him with throaty vibrating hum of approval that only served to spark his arousal even more.

Reaching her bottom, he kissed her, alternating between soft wet kisses and nips at her flesh. Now fully awake, Kahlan hissed with pleasure, her body tensing with his ministrations. Her muscles ached but in a very good way, one that she would love to participate in over and over again for as long as there was breath in their lungs.

Kissing his way back up along her body, Richard opened his eyes, watching her reaction and suddenly noticing bruises forming on her skin. Concerned, he tenderly kissed over them, fearful that he had hurt her in the midst of making love.

"Kahlan…Spirits, you're covered in bruises," he murmured against her skin, guilt suddenly rearing up within and threatening to snuff out the passion that was brewing there.

A soft throaty chuckle gently shook her body beneath him. "Richard, it's alright," she sleepily replied. "It just means that you love me very much. Besides, you should take a look at your body."

Frowning, Richard looked over his shoulder, trying to get a glimpse of his back. He could see red claw marks in crisscrossing patterns over his shoulder and the part of his back that he could see. He smiled softly, thrilled to bear the marks of their love making, the passionate expression of his Confessor's pleasure that he alone brought her.

"I guess we both love each other very much," he warmly breathed in her ear as he leaned over her again, brushing her long hair aside and revealing more marks of his love for her on her collarbone.

"I don't think it would be wise to leave the Spirit House in our new Aku attire," she told him.

"Agreed," he nodded, his tongue slipping out to tickle her earlobe.

"Richard…" she breathed out slowly, wanting him desperately but too tired to even roll over.

He kissed along the shell of her ear before descending along her throat again. He allowed more of his weight to press into her, his manhood growing hard against her low back. She groaned something sinful that sent a shiver of desire racing up his spine.

Wrapping his arms around her, he rolled her onto her side, keeping himself pressed firmly against her back. Knowing she was still tired, he wanted her to relax and enjoy this morning wake up with him, the first of very many in their future together.

"Richard…" she sighed as his hand slid around her to cup her breast.

Kahlan covered his hand with her own as he began to knead her flesh, his lips a heated assault along her neck as his other hand caressed her thigh. He gently pulled her leg up, bending it at the knee and propping it over his hip to open her up for him.

Her body felt weary and boneless and yet fully excited and awake with what he was doing to her. She could feel his hardness brushing against her bottom and she hissed in sweet anticipation. He shifted his hips and slowly entered her, kissing along her collarbone as he teased her breast.

Kahlan arched her back at the erotic feel of him filling her again like this, her heart racing as he began to thrust. Her breathing grew erratic as she rocked with his slow gentle movements, the sweet tenderness of their love making bringing tears to her eyes. She never knew love could ever be like this.

She quickly reached behind her, desperately needing to touch him too as he made love to her. Her hand found his backside and began squeezing and stroking him, causing him to press his forehead into the back of her shoulder as he continued to rock into her.

She could feel her pleasure slowly intensifying, a slow steady sensual build of rapture that made her lightheaded with the sudden demanding need to come. Richard reached around her to touch and stroke her, his breaths like searing blasts against her shoulder blade as she lightly raked her fingernails over the firm muscles of his backside.

Richard hissed low in his throat, exciting her like only he ever could. He began to move faster, his thrusts coming a little harder, his touch a little more urgent against her sensitive flesh. Her breaths were short pulls, shallow and gasping his name.

Kahlan suddenly came with a cry, her body trembling, her muscles frantically gripping at him. Her name was a muffled cry against her back as he came as well, spilling himself deep within her. Wanting to stay buried deep inside of her for as long possible, he curled his body around her, intertwining their legs and holding her close against him.

He planted soft kisses along her sweat-slick back, relishing the feel of her in his arms like this. "I love you, Kahlan Amnell," he whispered breathlessly.

"I love you, Richard Cypher," she murmured in response, wanting to kiss him, but savoring this new position for making love and finding that she loved it very much.

After several long moments of lying like that, Richard finally spoke again. "Do you think we should think about getting dressed?"

Kahlan hummed her disagreement as she held their interlaced fingers against her still racing heart. "No, I don't want to move from this spot…ever."

Richard chuckled softly against her back, placing lazy kisses everywhere his lips could reach without changing their position. "Well, I don't think that's going to be possible," he regretted to inform her. "At some point, I'm going to have to leave your body. We'll need food and water and I'm sure Zedd and Cara will be here by tomorrow or the day after that."

Kahlan groaned with the reminder, finally shifting her position. She sighed as he slipped free from her, craving him all over again. Rolling onto her side to face him, she kissed him deeply as she snuggled closer to him.

"I have never been so happy or felt such peace in my entire life," she softly told him.

"Me either," he smiled as he gazed into her eyes, her nearness so intoxicating to him. "You are so beautiful, Kahlan," he murmured as he stroked her hair. "There's absolutely nothing I wouldn't do for you."

She smiled shyly, her hand finding his face as she gazed into his eyes. "I know," she whispered, finding it difficult to speak all of the sudden. The love and tenderness of the moment touched and warmed her soul. "I would do anything for you too."

"You know now that you can tell me anything, right?" he ventured, his brow suddenly creasing. "I don't want you to ever feel like you can't talk to me, Kahlan."

Kahlan averted her eyes, guilt overwhelming her again. In her attempt to protect him from any more pain, she had hurt the man that she loved so deeply. "I'm so sorry, Richard," she softly replied, her eyes focused on the tooth pendant he wore. "I was only trying to keep you from any more pain…and…I was afraid that you would no longer love me or look at me the same."

Gentle fingers beneath her chin forced her to look at him. "I will always love you, Kahlan," he firmly said. "There is nothing that you could do to ever make me love you less."

Kahlan stared at him for a long moment, overcome with the love she felt for this amazing man. She quickly leaned in, her lips crushing his and stealing his breath away. His hands slipped up into her hair, holding her close as she rolled him onto his back. Her dark hair was an inky veil around his face, shielding them from the outside world if but for only a moment as she straddled him.

Breaking momentarily for air, Richard gripped her hips tightly, anticipation of making love with her again heating his blood. "Kahlan," he gasped, his head tilting back. "We really should get dressed."

"I'm not stopping you from getting dressed," she murmured as she trailed wet kisses along his jaw as she leaned even further over him. She grasped his hands, interlocking their fingers as she moved his arms, pinning his hands to the ground on either side of his head.

"No…" he replied, his voice rough with desire, "but you're making it…more than difficult…to ever want to…"

Kahlan moaned as he bucked up into her, knowing that they wouldn't be leaving any time soon. She leaned in to kiss his ear, her warm moist breath against his skin driving him insane.

"So I guess I have you at my mercy, Seeker," she purred low in his ear.

With a fierce growl, Richard sat up and rolled her over, pinning her hands above her head and her body to the ground. "I believe I have the Mother Confessor at my mercy now," he smirked, rubbing himself against her, the dark desire in his eyes exciting her all over again.

Lifting her head, Kahlan kissed him roughly, needing more. As he began to make love to her again, she readily decided the gathering could definitely wait for a little while longer.

XXX

Mistress Lucinda stormed through the Palace with her usual vengeance and determination. She had spent most of last night devising a way to keep the Mother Confessor away from her Lord Rahl and she was certain her plan would not fail.

She smirked to herself, pleased that she had come up with a way to destroy Kahlan Amnell once and for all. Demos would be furious at first when he found out she was dead, but he would eventually get over it. She would be there to help him through it, prove to him that all he really needed was her and no one else.

Spotting Mistress Cyia, she quickened her pace to catch up with the Sister. She knew she could trust Cyia with the assignment. Besides, as leader of the Mord'Sith, no one would ever question her authority or her orders.

"Mistress Cyia," Lucinda called to her.

Cyia stopped and turned to face her Sister of the Agiel. "Mistress Lucinda," Cyia bowed her head slightly in respect to her leader. "What may I do for you?"

"I have a very important assignment for you," Lucinda told her.

"It would be my pleasure," she replied. "What is it that you need?"

"I want you to take as many Sisters as you think you'll need to kill the Mother Confessor," Lucinda informed her.

Cyia's eyes only widened ever so subtly, not as much as Lucinda had expected though. "Doesn't Lord Rahl want her alive?"

"Yes and I want her dead," Lucinda coldly stated. "His obsession with her is clouding his mind and his judgment. I think it's time we stepped in and help clear it up for him."

"Yes, Mistress," Cyia dipped her head. "We will leave at once."

"Keep it very quiet," Lucinda instructed her. "I don't want anyone knowing about this that doesn't have to know."

"Any idea where the Seeker and the Mother Confessor are?"

"They were last seen heading southwest," she replied. "I want her dead no matter what it takes."

"And the Seeker?"

"I have no use for him," she said. "Kill him if he gets in the way. I don't care either way."

"He will not be able to stop us."

"Bring me back proof of the Mother Confessor's death."

"I will personally see to it," Cyia told her.

Lucinda smiled as she turned to leave. Cyia was one of the most ruthless, the deadliest next to her. Kahlan Amnell was as good as dead.