Chapter 9

As a confessed man, Prince Edan was enthralled to be in the arms of his love. His kisses covered her lush, naked body, his fingers exploring her every curve. Kahlan, at first seeming numb to the idea of lying with this man was now responding to his touch. She panted heavily, twining her fingers tightly into his hair. She wrapped her legs around him, forcefully pulling him to her and taking him in a fiery kiss. She gasped with need, pulling his face to her chest, wanting to feel his mouth against her. She called out to him in her desire, "Richard!"

"Richard!" Zedd shook him hard again by his shoulders, finally pulling him from his tormented sleep. "Wake up, boy. What's the matter?"

Richard gasped for breath, the images of Kahlan lying with another man ripping at his soul. He yanked free from Zedd, still not quite sure what he had seen was just a dream. His breathing slowed as he realized it was only his mind that persecuted him.

He'd had enough of this torment. "I'm going back Zedd."

"Have you forgotten your mission? Richard, we need to find the Stone of Tears, before the Keeper rips the veil any further."

Richard rounded on Zedd, anger flashing in his eyes "Don't you think I know that? Zedd, I tried to let her go because she asked it of me. But I can't. I came back here to continue the search, but I can't do this without her." His voice was resolute. "I need her Zedd." He blinked back tears that pricked his eyes as desperation took hold of him. "She won't listen to me. I've tried to tell her that I couldn't possibly love her more than I do, that being Confessed by her would make no difference in me because she already consumes me."

As Richard grew more agitated in his plea for understanding, Zedd saw something in his eyes he hadn't noticed before. It had probably been there all along, he just hadn't seen it. But now, looking intently in his grandson's face, he could see the depth of his love, his desperation, his need. Zedd laid a gentle hand on his shoulder and spoke in a commanding whisper, "Richard." Something about his tone immediately calmed him and he looked into the old man's face. "I can see that your love for her truly is all consuming."

Richard persisted, "I won't let you stop me Zedd. I've listened to both you and Kahlan tell me how I'll be destroyed by her, but don't you see? This is what will destroy me."

Still with a hand on his shoulder, Zedd continued with his gentle words. "Yes, I do see. Finally, I do. I always knew that you loved her, but only now do I see the all encompassing nature of that love. Something in your eyes tells me….yes…for you it is possible."

Richard stood mute, staring at his grandfather. At least Zedd finally understood how he truly felt about Kahlan.

"Go to her Richard. You have nothing to fear."

##

Nolan slid his hands over her bare shoulders and down her back. "What would people say if they knew you were here in my bed?"

"I don't care what others say Nolan." She wiggled closer to him under the covers. What do you say?"

He put his lips to hers "That you're a beautiful woman," he whispered before kissing her deeply. He slipped his hands into her flaxen hair and rolled onto his back pulling her on top of him. Bryanna straddled him and sat up, letting his eyes take in her form. "I wonder if you would say that if I wasn't so rich?"

His eyes danced. "Taking me twice before breakfast…I'd say that if you were penniless." She smiled contentedly and slid over him once more before leaning down to kiss him.

##

The closer Kahlan got to the prison, the harder it was for her to breathe. She took a long breath and summoned strength from deep within, putting on her Confessor's face. She would declare Prince Edan her mate and then meet with the Council of Confessors. It had been quite some time since a Confessor had been present in Aydindril, let alone the Mother Confessor. She needed to establish her presence with the members and she needed to determine if the power struggles were truly at an end.

As Kahlan neared the prison she was met by Governor Nolan. He saw the look of resolve on her face. "I see you're determined to go through with this. I had thought you might change your mind."

Greer rounded the corner just then and greeted the two of them.

Without replying to the Governor's comments Kahlan faced them both. "I'm in need of two witnesses for the declaration. Would you accompany me to the prisoner?"

Kahlan led the way through the prison gate, coming to an abrupt halt at the cell. Through the bars, she could see Prince Edan lying sprawled on the ground in a pool of his own blood, his throat viscously slit from ear to ear, nearly decapitating him.

"Dear Sprits." Greer nearly fainted with the sight.

##

Sitting at the head of the Council table in the large wooden chair reserved for the Mother Confessor alone, Kahlan's demands to know how someone would have been able to get to the prisoner and murder him were met with opposition. The Minister of Justice, Philip Simpson, was unsympathetic, "He was about to be dead anyway" his look at Kahlan became more pointed, "or at least as good as dead."

She knew the truth of that, but it didn't lessen the sting. Did no one but Richard see her as anything more than a poisonous touch? Her reply was cool, "He would have been alive, Councilor, and that doesn't change the fact that he was a prisoner of Aydindril, held by this Council. Why would someone murder him?"

Governor Nolan raised a hand so he could interject, speaking quietly, "If I may, Mother Confessor. There is only one man I know who would have reason to want Prince Edan dead." He waited for her to grasp his meaning. When she gave no indication, he continued, "I'm sure he was in just as sorry of a state as you last night."

Her face set firm, Kahlan rose from her chair. "I don't like what you're implying Governor. The Seeker is about saving lives, not taking them."

The Governor stood as well. He was a large man and knew it as he towered over her. "I think any man could be pushed to violence under the right circumstances." Before Kahlan could reply he went on, "I saw the two of you dancing, Confessor. He is clearly a man deeply in love." He leaned his face close to hers, "Are you telling me that a man like the Seeker wouldn't kill to protect the woman he loves?"

She could hear the other Council members murmuring in obvious surprise over this bit of information. Kahlan knew she needed to put a stop to it at once. She didn't like his tone and she didn't shy away from his towering presence, taking a step closer to him. "The Seeker's feelings for me are irrelevant here, Governor. It will serve you well if you were to remember that I am the Mother Confessor. I won't have this Council whispering about the Seeker's possible involvement in this. You know nothing of him; of what he's sacrificed to rid us all of Darken Rahl; of what he sacrifices now to seal the veil. He kills because he must, during battle, not over jealousy. I trust you will put a stop to it should this matter arise again. Is that understood?"

As the other Councilors looked on in wide-eyed fear, Nolan bowed his head to show his agreement.

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