Walking through the trees, Richard reached for her hand, hating the distance between them. Turning her head, she smiled, stepping closer as their fingers intertwined. They had sealed the rifts three weeks prior, and now that they were able to be together, neither wanted anything else. It was the little things they found themselves doing the most, holding hands, laying in each other's arms at night, and kissing as though there was nothing else in existence. At night, when they were alone, as eager as they were to make love, the simple act of holding each other without fear seemed just as important.

"What happens when you return to Aydindril?"

Tightening her hold on his hand, Kahlan grinned. "We find an empty bedroom close to the gates."

He smiled, her reply being more than pleasing, but far from what he wanted to hear. "And after?" The question had been on his mind for days and now that he had voiced it, it felt more terrifying.

"We will be summoned to the Council and questioned." From her tone, he knew that wouldn't be all and as he began to ask, she continued. "They're not going to like the idea of us together. They'll offer you everything you can imagine, they'll offer you something I cannot give you and when they're done-"

"We should make camp in the caves over there, it will be raining soon and I'm starving!" Zedd called out, pointing to their left as he looked to the blonde at his right. "I'll do the cooking tonight, dear."

"I'll gather some wood," Kahlan piped quickly, grateful for the interruption. "From the look of the sky, we don't have long before everything gets wet."

"I'll find us something to eat." He was gone before another word could be spoken, obviously annoyed and frustrated by the change in activity.

The Mother Confessor paused a moment before walking after him, knowing that if she postponed any longer, his mind would over think. He was kneeling in the dirt when she found him, his fingers tracing over a deer's tracks. She knew he sensed her nearby and felt him tense as she came to a stop a few feet away. If they never had this conversation, she wouldn't mind because she knew what would happen when they reached her home and she didn't want to persuade him to stay.

"They're going to offer you-"

"What?" he asked as he stood up and turned around, facing her completely. "What could they offer me that I don't have- that I can't have with you?"

"A son." She spoke so quietly, she wasn't sure her words would make it through the wind, but from the expression on his face, she knew it had. He didn't move as he stared at her, his heart racing in a cross between fury and sadness. "It's starting to rain, I should find some wood."

He grabbed her arm as she turned, preventing her from hurrying away. "Kahlan, I-"

"What?" she questioned, just as he had before. "What could you-"

"Kahlan, I'm sorry."

She pulled her arm free and stepped back. "They'll already have a certain woman in mind and she will be beautiful. She'll be in the room as they speak to you and hear everything they offer. You already have money and power; they won't bother to wave more in front of you."

"Kahlan-"

"Women," she said as though he hasn't spoken. "You'll be surrounded by women until they finish their offers; their suggestions."

"I don't care about women, Kahlan."

"You haven't seen them, yet."

"No-"

Shaking her head, she stared into his honey, forest eyes. "Do you really think that's all they will offer you? Another woman, many women- they're only the beginning."

"Other than a son?"

"You can't say the thought hasn't crossed your mind. An heir to your kingdom and- Someone who you can teach to hunt, fight and-"

"Who says I can't do those things with our daughters?"

"Everyone."

"Everyone also said we would never be able to be together, but we were- We are. Kahlan, I don't care what the council tries to throw at me, I don't want anything or anyone, but you." The rain was pouring down around them, both soaked as they stared at the other. His words echoed through her ears, making her wish that she hadn't said anything at all. This was now, before he heard their offer and she knew them, they had something he would want. Once they spoke with the council, his mind could change. "I know why you're upset, Kahlan and you have every right to be, but not with me."

"I'm not upset with you-"

"Then why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because I'm waiting for the moment when you realize how much you can have with another woman."

He was pressed against her suddenly, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist as he hurried his face in the crook of her neck. "There is nothing the council can offer me that would make me want to leave you."

"They can give you a son."

Pulling back, he held his forehead to hers, straining his eyes to look into hers as the rain fell upon them. "And you can give me a family."

"I cannot give you a son, Richard."

"Then, I don't want a son."

"Yes, you do."

He kissed her, hard and passionately for a moment and then stepped back. "I wanted a son before I met you. Now, I want you, carrying one of our daughters against your chest while I chase another through the halls of our home. Kahlan I have never wanted anything more than this life with you."

"Richard-"

"No," he interrupted quickly, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her closer. "This is the life I want, Kahlan. One with you." Kissing her again, he smiled. "Let's get out of the rain."

"I like it here," she whispered through the rain.

"Why?"

"We're alone."

His body jumped forward at her words, desire flooding him. "Spirits, Kahlan..."

"Cara and Zedd will be fine without us for a little while longer."

He watched as she began unlocking her dress, the rain dripping between her breasts and capturing his attention. "This doesn't end our conversation, Kahlan."

"It might."

"We'll be right there," Kahlan said as her handmaiden stood at the open door.

Lifting his head from the pillow, Richard smiled at the younger woman. "Hi, I'm Richard."

The woman smiled with a nod, meeting his eyes for a brief moment before looking to the ground. "I know who you are, Lord Rahl."

Kahlan chuckled as she pulled the laces of her dress tight. "I'm sorry. Richard, this is Hannah; she's been with me for eight years. I trust her more than anyone else here."

"Eight years?" he asked the blonde.

"Yes, Lord Rahl. The Mother Confessor took me in, gave me a home."

Richard smiled, looking over to the other woman. "She has a way of doing that."

"Hannah, would you return to the council and inform them we need a few minutes to prepare?"

Bowing her head, the younger woman stepped backward. "Yes, Mother Confessor."

When they were alone again, Kahlan sat down on the edge of the bed and looked at the closed door. "After they've spoken with us, they're going to speak with you alone."

"And offer me the women," he joked, earning him a frown on her perfect features. "I'm sorry."

"You're right."

"I don't want another woman, Kahlan."

"It won't stop them from giving you some."

He grinned, reaching for her hand. "As long as I have you when it's over."

"You can accept them as your gifts?"

"It would be rude of me to refuse such a gift."

She laughed, a heavenly sound to his ears. "You're right. Maybe we could share the bed tonight."

Shaking his head, he pulled her to him and connected their lips. "I'm not sharing you." Rolling on top of her, Richard began kissing down her neck. "You're mine."

Entangling her fingers in his hair, she held his head to her chest, pushing into him as she struggled to find her breath. "We don't have enough time-"

Lifting his head, he met her eyes and slid her dress above her knees. "Do you want me to stop?"

"Spirits, no..."

The council had been talking to him for over an hour when he decided they were never going to stop in their pursuit to keep him from the woman he loved. Hannah was waiting on the other side of the wide, double doors for him, moving to his side as he exited with a heavy sigh.

"Are you alright, Lord Rahl?"

"I'm fine. Where's Kahlan?"

Following him down the hallway, the blonde smiled. "She's in her bedroom; we warmed water for a bath."

Grinning, he looked over at her. "How long ago?"

"Not long. She didn't want to leave you on your own."

"But she didn't want to listen to what they said," he told her through a whisper. "I'm sorry they did that to you."

"It is an honor to be considered."

Richard stopped and turned to face her. "They don't have the right to do that. You're a person, not their property. They had no right to offer you to me."

Hannah let out a soft laugh and began walking, knowing he would follow. "The council can do as they please, Lord Rahl. This isn't the first time I have been offered to someone."

"It's not?"

"No. Had the Mother Confessor not spoken for me, I may have been sold as one of many wives to Lord Flunt."

"Kahlan kept you here?"

"And safe, My Lord," she said quickly. "She made sure all knew that I was not to be touched. She took me in and protected me."

He smiled widely, imagining the woman's words. "That sounds like Kahlan."

"May I ask you a question, Lord Rahl?"

"Of course."

Looking over her shoulder, she slowed, making sure they were alone. "The Mother Confessor and you... Are you truly able to be together?"

"We are."

"Your magic keeps you safe?"

"No," he answered swiftly. "My love for her does."

She looked at him in confusion, her mind trying to understand. "And when your feelings change?"

"Why does everyone believe my feelings will change? I love Kahlan, more than I ever thought possible to feel."

"Forgive me, Lord Rahl. I should not have spoken out-"

"It's alright, Hannah. I can see that it's difficult to understand. The world believes no one can care for a Confessor, but it's not true. If someone took a moment, a single moment to get to know one, they'd learn something."

Richard froze for a moment, looking down the hallway. "Where's the guard that was outside her door?"

"I do not know, Lord Rahl."

Rushing down the hall, he tore the door to her room open to find the guard dead a few feet away and Kahlan struggling with another man, who towered over her in the bathtub. She was bleeding, the blood staining the water around her as she pushed his knife into his neck.

The other man fell to the ground, joining another body beside the tub as Richard reached her side. Almost as soon as he knelt beside her, she collapsed. Holding her hand against her side, she smiled weakly up at him, her eyes locked on his as he reached into the water. His mouth was moving, quickly, but she couldn't hear anything. The panic on his face told her she looked worse than she felt, but in the silence, she was able to make herself believe it was fine.

Richard motioned for Hannah to come closer, frantically asking her to bring him one of the towels at her side. Wrapping one around her, he lifted the brunette out of the water and brought her to his chest, doing his best to keep her body from being seen as Hannah helped move her. Without warning, he shoved the blonde away and tightened his hold on the Confessor, her magic tearing through the air around them. She jerked in his arms, a part of her still fighting.

Laying her down on the bed, the Seeker pulled his shirt over his head and pressed it to her side, stopping a portion of the bleeding. Looking around them, he grabbed one of the knives from the floor and hurried to the fireplace across the room. Hannah replaced him at Kahlan's side, pushing on his shirt to keep the blood flow slow.

"What are you doing?"

"Zedd won't be back until tonight and we can't wait. We have to burn some of her wounds closed."

"You're-"

Returning to her, he pushed her aside and met her eyes. "When I do this, she's going to release her magic again. You shouldn't be touching her."

"Then who's going to keep the other wounds closed?" she asked instantly. "If I don't help you, she could die."

"She won't want to do that to you. Stand over there until I say, please."

"Yes, My Lord."

Leaning down, he pressed his lips to her ear and whispered, "This is going to hurt, but I'll be quick. You're going to be alright, Kahlan. I promise."

The instant the blade touched the edge of one of her wounds, a cry left her lips. Her magic released moments later, her body lifting slightly from the force. It took longer than he planned to burn the seven wounds on her chest and abdomen, but after the fifth one, she fell silent. When he finished, he dropped the blade to the floor and crawled onto the bed, pulling her trembling body into his arms as he looked to the blonde, who pulled the blankets over them.

"Would you find Cara? If there's anyone else here, I want them found."

"Yes, My Lord."

As she left, his hold on Kahlan tightened as he let himself breathe. His mind raced in anger, trying to understand what had happened.

"Richard?"

He nearly smiled at the sound of her voice, but the way it shook made him more upset. "They're dead. You're safe, now." She lifted her head slightly, trying to look at him. "No, Kahlan, don't move." He moved out from under her, turning her slightly, so that she was lying on her back. She smiled weaker than she intended, instantly knowing he wouldn't believe her if she told him she was fine. He kept the blanket over her, but lifted it to look beneath, checking to see if he had somehow reopened one of her wounds. "Kahlan, do you know why-"

Squeezing her eyes shut, she gritted her teeth for a moment. "Hurts..."

"I'm sorry, Zedd's not back yet; I had to burn them closed."

Her smile widened for a moment, trying to remove the concern in his eyes. "Pain is better than-"

"You've spent too much time with Cara."

"I'll be fine, Richard."

Moving closer, he touched his fingertips to her cheek and smiled. "I know, but I can't stop worrying about you."

"What happened with the council?"

"Everything you said would happen." Richard sighed and pulled back his hand, resting it just below her breasts, away from the wounds below. "I don't understand why they don't want you to be happy."

Kahlan chuckled softly, coughing for a moment afterward. "They don't think the same way you do."

"About your happiness?"

"About Confessor's."

"They're ignorant."

She grinned, taking his hand. "Not everyone is as smart as the Seeker." Closing her eyes, she let out a slow breath. "I'm going to rest... Just for a moment..."

"I'll be here."