He crawled into the bed, withholding a low moan as he lost himself within the warm blankets. Kahlan was sleeping in the center of the bed, just as she always did when he didn't go to bed with her. Inching closer, he wrapped an arm around her waist and grinned as she laid her arm over his and pulled him closer. Nuzzling his nose into her hair, Richard took in a deep breath to savor the scent that could only come from her. She had washed her hair with the soap he had bought her, knowing instantly that the smell was one that could only come from something so beautiful.

She shifted her body, turning her head to look at him. "I didn't think you would be back until tomorrow night."

He smiled widely, "Then why are you naked?"

"You took all of your shirts," she said softly. She had been sleeping in one of his shirts since they returned to Aydindril, finding them comforting when he was away.

Moving her onto her back, he ran his left hand over her stomach. "What happened to my last one?"

She grinned widely. "My seamstress said it was beyond repair." Reaching up, she cupped his cheek in her right hand and slowly pushed her fingers up into his hair. "How did it go?"

Shaking his head, he lowered his face to hers. "I don't want to talk about it just yet."

Understanding his words, she leaned up and connected their lips. Their kiss was filled with passion, their time apart being harder on them than either would admit. He snaked his hands over her, rediscovering the softness of her skin as he pushed his tongue past her lips. She welcomed it freely, desperately and passionately; needing him as much as he needed her. His clothes were tossed from the bed quickly, removing the only thing keeping their bodies from joining. She held him close, gasping his name as he brought her higher and higher. It was perfect.

He needed her. She was the only one who could rid his mind of his thoughts, who could make him feel like nothing could go wrong. With Kahlan, he was safe. Dropping his weight upon her, he panted, trying to find his breath as she ran her fingers through his hair. She wanted to say something, to tell him that that everything would work out, but she didn't know what had happened. From the way he clung to her, she knew it hadn't gone well.

Lifting his head, he rolled onto his side, not wanting to crush her. She turned instantly, pushing herself against him as she buried her nose in the crook of his neck. She loved moments like this, when they were pressed against each other, naked. It was the only time she felt completely safe.

"I think I've made a mistake."

"What do you mean?"

Releasing a soft sigh, he pulled her closer, needing her in order to continue. "I can't be what everyone expects me to be, Kahlan. I'm not Lord Rahl."

"No, you're not." She leaned back, taking his face in her hands. "You are not the Lord Rahl they expect you to be. You're kind, generous; you're a better leader and you're going to help these people. You're nothing like they expect you to be. You're better."

He kissed her briefly, relieved and comforted by her words. "Thank you."

Grinning widely, she traced a few of her fingers across his chest and inched closer. "Are you going to tell me what happened?"

"I made a fool out of myself. It was starting to feel like I've turned into someone else and I- I lost it." He sighed, "I yelled at Cara, dismissed half of the army and terrified the people."

"What happened?"

"I don't know. We arrived and it felt- I felt like by taking his place, I would become like him."

Nodding, she smiled warmly. She loved that he didn't want to change, that he didn't have a hunger for the throne, but was willing to do what he could to keep peace within his land. "Do you want to be like him?"

It wasn't a question that needed to be answered, but he did anyway. "No."

"Then you won't be. Richard, you are the only person who can do this. You can make things better for your people and be a ruler they can count on."

"So can you. Kahlan, you were raised for this, taught how to be a leader and I-"

"You were too and because you don't want it, that makes you perfect for it."

"I don't want to disappoint anyone," he whispered honestly. He wanted to tell her that he didn't want to disappoint her, but he knew what she would say.

"You don't have to do it, Richard."

Smiling, he rolled onto his back, pulling her with him so that she was almost lying on top of him. "Yes, I do. It would be the same as me telling you that you don't have to be a Confessor."

"It is who we are."

"I don't think I will ever be the leader you are."

"You're right," she teased. "You'll be better."

******

Kahlan watched him as he slept, his eyes moving rapidly beneath their shield as he dreamed. She felt him move around constantly throughout the night, telling her that he still struggled with his new power. She had no doubt that he would be good at it, but it would be difficult to get him to see it that way. All he ever wanted was to live a simple life. He wanted to spend his days in the woods and then come home to his wife and children, not sit on a throne and rule hundreds of people. Many days, she wasn't sure that the life he had with her was what he wanted.

She had grown more and more afraid of what was going to happen since he decided to go to the People's Palace. She heard the servants talking, even though they stopped when she would enter the room. They thought that she was crazy for allowing him to stay with her, for bedding a man who was not claimed as her mate, nor her husband. She often wondered what it would be like to call him her husband, but she would always dismiss the thought from her mind, thinking that it would only lead down a path she could not take. Confessors have never married. They took a man as their mate out of duty, not love and isn't that what marriage was about?

As she shifted closer to him, she began to worry that everything around her was changing. Richard was different, in small ways, but this was only the beginning. With a little more time, he would be gone. The image terrified her. Without thought, she moved into his arms, the need to hold and touch him overwhelming her. The feeling that swept over her while lying in his arms was something she had never hoped for, always afraid of being disappointed. At times, she would swear that they were made for each other.

Their bodies seemed to complete the other as though they were separate parts of the same mold. His arms wrapped around her instantly, drawing her impossibly closer as though it was second nature to him. She could feel his heart pounding quickly beneath her head, telling her that he had awakened. Kahlan didn't move, hoping that he would fall asleep once again. After a few moments, she lifted her head and looked down at him with a smile.

"I didn't mean to wake you."

Grinning, he nodded his head. "I know; I don't mind."

Lifting herself from his chest, she attempted to return to her previous position, but he wouldn't let her out of his arms. "You just returned, you should get some sleep."

He laughed, surprising her as her body bounced against his. "You're lying in my arms, naked. I don't think I will be getting any sleep." It was then that he saw it, all the worry and fear written upon her face as she looked down at him. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she lied quietly. "I was just thinking."

"About what?"

A small smile formed on her lips as he traced a small circle on her back with his fingers. He always knew how to comfort her, how to make her feel like nothing else existed outside of them. "You."

"Not good thoughts," he said quietly, stopping his fingers as he waited for her to tell him he was wrong. She remained silent. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong; I just couldn't help but think about what happens when you go back to the People's Palace."

He smiled warmly and began retracing the circle on her back. "I'll come back to you. I'll come home." He watched her for a moment and sighed. "That's not what you're worried about is it? You were wondering if I would want to come back."

"Nothing is holding you here."

"You are. Kahlan, I'm not going to leave you. I could never- When I was there, I couldn't stop thinking about you. Every night in that bed, I couldn't sleep." He smiled and closed his eyes for a moment. "I missed your smell, your skin against mine... I wanted to be with you, all I wanted was to come home to you. It was one of the things I yelled at Cara about."

"She said that you should stay there?"

"How could I? Kahlan, you're my home. I can't be away from you and survive." Shaking her head, she pulled out of his arms and laid on her back, staring up at the ceiling while she thought. He was suddenly laying on his side, his left arm draped over her stomach in an attempt to be closer to her. "I love you Kahlan." She remained quiet, causing him to grow more concerned. "Talk to me."

"I'm sorry," she whispered softly, looking over at him. "Sometimes I can't get my mind to quiet."

Leaning his head down to her, Richard slowly moved his hand over her, watching as her eyes fell closed. "Marry me."

Her eyes opened and met his in confusion. "What?"

"I've wanted to ask you for so long."

"Why didn't you?" she questioned softly.

He sighed and laid down on his back. "I was embarrassed. A woods guide asking the Mother Confessor to be his wife is-"

"Beautiful," she stated as she rolled over to look at him. "I thought that you didn't want to be with me."

Reaching up, he laid his right hand against her cheek. "I never wanted you to feel that way." She pulled back and moved him with her, making them lay in the position they were in before. "What-"

"Ask me again."

He grinned at the smile on her face. It was wide, one he was sure he was the only one to ever see. "Kahlan, will you marry me?"

"Yes," she beamed. "I will marry you."

The moment the words left her lips, she kissed him. All doubts and fears leaving her instantly as his hands began to explore her body. It thrilled her, his hands on her body, she would never be able to explain how it felt when he touched her. He trailed his lips down her neck, sliding his tongue across her skin with a low moan as she pulled him closer. They never wanted to leave each other's arms and now, they never had to.