Fruition, Chp 2
Summary: Sequel to Master of D'Hara. Richard and Kahlan's dreams are finally being realized but is the young wizard Gabriel their friend or foe?
Did I hear someone say they wanted an R/K reunion?.... ;)
Chapter 2
The full moon sat high in the sky, darkness shrouding the land around him. It was late and all was quiet as he passed through the massive stone arch. Richard looked at the giant gates of Aydindril in a whole new light. He was no longer Richard Cypher, woods guide. He was Richard Rahl - Lord Rahl, Master of D’Hara and mate to the Mother Confessor.
He pulled his horse to a stop, taking in the quiet of the city, the grandeur of the Confessor’s Palace. Even in darkness it gleamed its magnificence. The Keep, nearly lost in the black of night, no longer seemed an ominous structure to him. Richard somehow felt a connection to it, a thin tether to his core, drawing him near. He wondered if all those with the Han felt the pull. His eyes went back to the palace. There was no pull so strong as the one that drew him there. He had made no mention in his letter to Kahlan of his powers, or that he knew of the baby. He wanted to be with her when they spoke of those things, so he could hold her and share in her smile. “Almost home,” he whispered into the peaceful night air.
Zedd, just a horse’s nose behind, questioned back, “Almost?”
Richard didn’t hear him, his mind was a world away, eyes locked on the palace like a beacon. He lightly touched his heels to his mare, urging her onward.
---
Richard stepped into the quiet sanctuary that was their room, his eyes instantly drawn to Kahlan’s graceful form on the terrace, her hair lifting in the gentle breeze. Beneath a full moon she waited alone, watching the silver sphere in all its glory against the inky black sky, a canopy to the fragrant private gardens of the Mother Confessor below.
Richard stood in the darkness, watching her through the wall of windows that separated their chamber from the outside world. Wearing only a nightshirt, Kahlan’s thick, luxurious hair tumbled down her back as she looked toward the sky. Bathed in the brilliant light of the moon, its sheerness did little to hide the woman beneath.
Richard swallowed through the lump in his throat. He had been too long without her. A gentle wind ruffled the fabric against her skin. He realized then it was his shirt she wore, the one he’d worn for their wedding. Unbuckling his sword, his eyes drifted over her body, taking in the delicate lines of her neck, the sensuous curve of her hips. She looked even more exquisite than he remembered. He searched her belly, looking for signs of their child. He saw none, knowing it was just a matter of time. Richard pulled free from his shirt, leaving it with the Sword of Truth on a nearby chair and stepped quietly through the opened door. Her intoxicating beauty so overwhelmed him he could scarcely breathe, let alone speak. Reverent awe engulfed him, desire stirring his blood. He came to a silent stop just behind her, afraid to frighten her, yet unable to form a sound. Richard slipped his hands under the hem of her shirt, tenderly smoothing over her round bottom as he nuzzled his face in her hair.
Kahlan drew a sharp breath, knowing his touch in an instant, gasping with the sudden pleasure of it. His warmth was balm to her soul. Richard brushed his lips along the nape of her neck, his hands gliding slow and sensuous beneath the delicate weave of her shirt, feeling the lush curves of her body. Kahlan felt his trembling, fully expecting he would ravish her that instant, hoping she was right. She arched into his palms, leaning back to hungrily kiss his throat, draping her arms around his neck and drawing him near. Richard gripped tight to her breasts, breathing her in as she raked her teeth over his jaw; her kiss seductive against his flesh. He fought to maintain his composure, his big hands sliding down to rest tenderly upon her belly. “Is our daughter well?” he asked, his voice low and husky in her ear.
A smile lifted the corner of Kahlan’s mouth. She was glad he knew. She had wanted him to know the moment she did. “Yes” she answered softly, her face still buried in his throat. He had yet to kiss her and the anticipation was agony.
Richard’s hands resumed their slow roam, feeling her every curve. “And her mother?” he whispered. He tormented her with his nearness as he took in her scent, his lips lingering at her temple, lightly brushing against her. It felt as if their two souls were already making love, longing for their bodies to join them. Kahlan wanted his mouth on hers and twisted in his arms to face him. Richard’s big hands slid down her back to firmly grip her bottom, his bare chest pressed to hers as they stood brow to brow, nose to nose. They could hardly be any closer.
Soft as breath, Kahlan skimmed his mouth with hers, “Now that you are you are here, she is fine.” At last he kissed her; deep and passionate, his powerful arms like iron wrapped around her. Kahlan slipped tender fingers into his hair, clutching fiercely, needing desperately.
Richard went to his knees, exploring her body the whole way down, slowly pushing her shirt up over her breasts, his mouth hungrily searching her flesh. Naked but for the fabric he held gathered at her shoulders, Kahlan arched back over the edge of the thick stone rail, moaning softly as Richard covered her with his kiss. She hardly noticed the multitude of stars winking against the black velvet sky, their celestial rapture a distant second to her husband’s soft tongue, warm upon her flesh, his probing fingers exploring until she at last called his name.
With ragged breath, he pulled her from the railing’s edge pressing her instead to the cool marble of the palace wall, kissing her with pent up need. Kahlan reached between them with trembling hands, untying the laces at his waist. As she wrapped her velvety legs around him, Richard easily lifted her in his arms, gripping tight to her backside, holding the weight of her in his grasp. He gently hiked her higher as she guided him inside her. Richard grunted softly with the feel of her surrounding him, delighting in her long hair tumbling over him as they kissed.
Fragrant floras from the gardens below scented the air around them as Kahlan gently rose and fell with his easy motions. A light breeze ruffled Richard’s hair and the hem of her shirt where it fell against his arms. “I’ve missed you, wife,” he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. He felt her soft curves cling to him more tightly, her fingers gently stroking the back of his neck.
“And I you, my husband,” she answered just before his mouth covered hers in a passionate kiss.
Making love in the moonlit shadows of night, Kahlan’s soft skin pressed against his own, Richard knew he was at long last, home.
xxx