His eyes never left her body as he listened to the pounding in his chest as well as voices and footsteps coming from the other side of the door. "Leave them." he could hear Nicci speaking "We have done what The Keeper asked of us." "The Mother Confessor is dead?" "Yes Viktor, I just spoke with Darken Rahl. The keeper is quite pleased." He could hear the smile on her face. If he wasn't chained to the wall, he would get up and beat it off of her, but he couldn't stand to leave Kahlan. He was still chained to the wall. "What do we do now?" "We are to continue doing The Keeper's work." Nicci replied coolly looking through the door at Richard. "What about him?" Viktor said moving to stand beside her and stare at Richard. "We leave him here. I have taken his magic, he can't break free. He couldn't even save The Mother Confessor. With her dead, he will not defeat The Keeper." Smoothly, she walked over to Kahlan's naked, lifeless body, "How does it feel to know you have failed? To watch the woman you loved die." "Love." Richard corrected, never removing his eyes from Kahlan. "The woman I love." his voice was soft as the tears flowed freely from his eyes, down his cheeks and pooling onto the floor. Annoyed Nicci pushed her foot to Kahlan's head and pushed it, turning her face towards him. "I killed her with your magic." He picked himself up and jerked forward, trying to throw himself onto the Sister of the Dark. "Enjoy what you've done, Richard." She smiled widely as she stepped around the broken body at her feet and walked slowly towards Viktor, who was waiting at the door. Without another word they both walked out into the moonlight.
"I'm so sorry, Kahlan." he said softly as a prayer. As he starred at her, for a moment he could imagine her smiling at him, reaching for his hands and telling him it wasn't his fault. He knew she wouldn't blame him, she never blamed him for anything. This, he knew was his fault. There had to have been something he should have done differently. "I should have saved you." he whispered as he reached out towards her. He had to touch her, hold her in his arms. With all the strength he had he jerked himself forward, pulling against the chains, twisting his hands trying to break free. For the first time, he took his eyes from Kahlan and looked to the wall behind him. The wall had cracked from his constant pull of the chains. After several more jerks, it broke free from the wall. Moving as quickly as he could, he crawled across the room to her body. After he unbound her hands, he pulled her into his arms, he held her as tightly as he could as he whispered his apologies into her hair. He felt so much pain, he was sure it would kill him. He hoped it would. Kahlan was dead, killed with his magic. He didn't want to go on without her. The prophecy was right, he thought. If she was still alive, he would do everything in his power to be sure the Keeper lost. He started praying to the spirits, begging for them to take the breath from his lungs. To allow him to be with her in the underworld. To have her returned to him. He rocked them both as he cried out in hate and anger.
He didn't know where the surge came from. He felt it flow through his body and into Kahlan's. He stopped moving, looked down at her and watched some force flow out of her and leave her gasping for air. His heart stopped as he felt her chest heave against his as her lungs begged for air. Laying her gently on the floor, he pressed his mouth to hers, trying to give her his oxygen. He couldn't stop the tears that continued to flow, falling down upon her cheeks. He pulled back to see her blue eyes wide with confusion. "Richard?" she whimpered before closing her eyes. Relief and fear flew through him as he looked around them. With Kahlan alive, they would return and he had to be sure they were no longer there. Lifting her gently back into his arms, he carried her through the door. The wind was cold, Kahlan's naked body began to shiver from the breeze. He didn't know where they were or where he was going, but he was determined to continue until she was safe. The sun had risen and fallen without his notice as he carried her through the thick trees. His mind was only on the woman lying in his arms. "Dear Spirits!" a familiar voice face from the trees. "Ronan?" Richard said, jerked from his thoughts.
"They were looking for you." he nodded as he walked closer "They nearly found me. Your wizard disguised me." he stopped moving when his eyes fully saw Kahlan. Dropping to his knees, Ronan covered his eyes with his hands. "Spirits, I'm sorry. How could they kill her?" he asked mindlessly. "She's not dead." Richard said quickly "What? Then you escaped?" "No, they left us." Ronan looked confused "They would only leave if they succeeded and killed The Mother Confessor." "They did!" Richard shouted, remembering the look on Kahlan's face. "How did you-" "She is alive, that is all that matters. I need to find a safe place for her." Ronan stood, and looked at the ground, trying to avoid looking at the Mother Confessor. "I passed a town almost a day ago. You may find shelter there." Richard's eyes widened "A day?" Ronan nodded and turned, motioning for him to follow. "You have been gone a day over a week." he said pushing a log out of Richard's path. "How did you escape?" "They left. They killed her and then they just... left." Richard's voice was filled with anger and sadness. "But she is alive." Ronan stopped and turned to him "How is she alive?" He shook his head, Richard had asked himself the same question several times and had yet to find an answer. "The good spirits I suppose. She is alive, that is all that matters to me." Ronan turned away, slightly satisfied with his answer. "Why didn't you use your magic?" Richard froze, staring out a head of them. "It was taken from me. She used it to kill her." His heart broke with the thought of his magic being the reason for her death. She for so long feared her magic would destroy him, when it was his who destroyed her.
"We are making good time. The town is just over there." Ronan called over his shoulder. He found it best to leave Richard with his thoughts, he could see how upset he was. Richard's mind wondered over how to keep Kahlan hidden as his pace slowed from the weight of carrying her for so long. "Richard?" her voice bringing both men to a stop. "Where ---Going?" they could barely hear her. "We're going to find you a safe place." Richard said, trying to sound calm and reassuring. "Oh." she said as a small smile crossed her lips as she looked up at Richard. "I'd ask you to put me down, but I just realized I'm not dressed." she half laughed, bringing the first smile to his face in what he was sure had been days. "Wait there, you can't carry The Mother Confessor though town like that. I'll get something to cover her with."
While waiting, Richard moved to a large tree that protected the ground from the suns hot rays. Carefully, he sat down, pulling Kahlan even closer to him, to be sure she wouldn't be exposed to anyone who walked by. He starred down at her, her eyes, roaming over the area, his mind running through the past events, trying to understand how she was still alive. "Are you alright?" her words came before her eyes found his. Her voice was stronger than before, "I'm fine. You are the one I 'm worried about." he said softly "Because you brought me back?" Richard's mouth opened in shock. "Kahlan, I did not bring you back. I have no powers. I couldn't have brought you back." she smiled up as she starred into his brown eyes. "I felt it Richard. It was you." he shook his head. "It couldn't have have - You were gone. Even if Cara had given you the breath of life, you wouldn't have-" her fingers touched his lips, silencing him. "Okay, I'm sorry." he smiled against her fingers. "You don't have anything to be sorry for." she moved her hand to cup the side of his face. "I love you." she said as she leaned up and pressed her lips against his. He returned her kiss with a deep passion, wrapping his arms tightly around her.
"I've found you a place to stay." Ronan called as he came to a stop at the sight of Richard and Kahlan's private moment. He turned away, trying not to stare at her naked body. "I'm sure you will be safe until I return with your friends." Kahlan pulled herself away from him, standing "If you walk through there like that, you will be sure to draw attention." he smiled, taking in a moment to enjoy the view as she looked down and blushed. "Right. I forgot." she said softly, lowering herself into a squat to cover herself. "I'll go get them as soon as you are both settled." Ronan continued. "Oh, I have this for The Mother Confessor!" he said lifting up a green dress. Kahlan stood, and started to go retrieve the dress, when Richard grabbed her arm. "I'll get it." he laughed walking to Ronan. "Thank you." he said as he turned and headed back to Kahlan, who had knelt back to the. Taking the dress from Richard, she stood and walked behind the large tree. "Need help?" Richard asked trying not to laugh. "I'm fine." she said in a half laugh.
She stepped out slowly, pulling on the dress. Richard starred at her for a moment before coming to her side. "You look beautiful." he said softly, taking her hand. "I'm covered in dirt and blood, Richard." He smiled "You're alive." "He is right Mother Confessor, you look very nice." Ronan said as he started walking towards the town. "Thank you." she said before looking up to Richard with a smile. People moved along as the noticed the three of them coming through the trees. Their eyes fell upon Kahlan. Richard took everything in, every person a threat to her. "Richard, we're strangers, they are going to look." she released his hand and took his arm, leaning herself against him. He looked at her, she was smiling widely, though he knew she was in pain. How could she be so happy? He thought, bringing his eyes back to the town. She had just been through so much, how could be be okay? He quickly stopped his mind from wondering as they passed a small group of large men, starring at her.
"Here, it's the only place that had room." Ronan called over his shoulder as they reached a small tavern. "Are you sure we'll be safe here?" "It is the only place here, though I am quite sure you will be safe." Waiting a moment, Richard looked looked around them, taking the people standing around them. "What do you think?" "I don't think we have another option." she looked behind them at a few women, she felt starring at her. "We should go inside, Richard." Pushing though the door, the three of them made their way through the small groups of people walking around. "They are the ones I was telling you about." Ronan said to a tall blonde woman. She glanced at Richard, before bringing her eyes to Kahlan. "Spirits. What happened?" she took a few steps trying to get closer, Richard immediately stepped in front of her, slightly pushing her back. "She was robbed." Ronan responded as the blond froze mid step frightened by the fear and anger in Richard's eyes. Kahlan wanted to push past him, tell them that he didn't need to protect her, but she understood his response, for a moment, she had wanted to turn and run. "I'm sorry. I will show you to your room." turning, she started towards the stairs several feet behind her. "I will go and find your friends." "Thank you." Kahlan said looking at him with a small smile. "I will do anything for The Mother Confessor." he turned to Richard, "And the man who holds her heart. May the spirits protect you." Richard smiled and nodded his thanks before watching him leave.
"If you need something, I will be downstairs." The blonde woman spoke softly as Richard and Kahlan stepped into their room. "Thank you." Richard said trying to smile. "I'll bring you both some food in a few hours. You look like you haven't eaten in days." She said looking to Kahlan "Thank you." she said leaning against the bed post. The door closed and Kahlan fell to the floor. "Kahlan!" "I'm fine, I'm just tired." she said as he knelt down beside her. "Here, let me get you into bed." gently lifting her into his arms, Richard placed her onto the bed and pulled the covers over her.
Opening her eyes, a smile crossed her lips. Richard was sitting at the foot of the bed, tossing a piece of bread into the air, and then catching it as it fell. She laughed as it fell from his hand onto the floor. "Don't laugh. It was your piece." he laughed turning to her as she sat up. "How long was I asleep?" "I'm not sure. The food may have been warm, but not edible, and it's cold now, so a few hours." Kahlan smiled "It couldn't have been that bad. You've eaten almost all of it." He looked back to the plates then back to her, his smile widening. "I'm sorry. I'll just go get you some more." he swung his legs off the bed and bent down to grab his boots. "I'm fine, Richard. I'm not hungry." She pushed the covers off of herself and crawled to him. "You should sleep." he smiled warmly as she placed her left hand to his cheek and caressed it.
"I can't sleep. I tried. So I ate all the food." smiling Kahlan leaned forward and pressed her lips against his. "I'll just have to tire you out then." she giggled as she pushed him backwards and moved herself to straddle him. He smiled widely "It couldn't hurt to try." reconnecting their lips, Kahlan ran her fingers down his chest, grabbed the hem and pulled it upward. Letting go of her briefly, he lifted his arms and pulled the shirt from his body. Her lips were pressed to his, the moment the clothing was removed, her hands returning to his chest. Their kissed began to grow in passion as their hands moved over each other's body. Moving quickly, Richard pulled Kahlan firmly against him and rolled himself over her. Looking down at her as he positioned a knee on either side of her, his fingers went to the laces on her dress. He was thankful the dress had fewer laces than her others, his need was growing stronger with every second. He watched her breasts rise and fall with her heaving breathing. Leaning down, he pressed a gentle kiss on her chest, her back arching forward for more contact as he removed the fabric from her shoulders.
He released a throaty moan as he pulled her dress from her body. Her eyes closed as his hands gently moved their way from her thighs, stomach, over her breasts and slowly sliding over her shoulders. Her hands gripping the covers tightly as his lips followed the journey his hands prepared. Her back arched forward when his lips met her neck. She released the covers and grabbed fistfuls of his hair. His name left her lips in a hard gasp as he slowly ran his tongue over her collar bone. Richard ran one of his hands down her side, taking in the feel of her soft flesh. Kahlan couldn't get enough of him, his body couldn't be close enough. "Lose the pants." She said reaching between them for the lacing. Sitting up, he pushed the clothing from his hips, watching as the smile on Kahlan's face widened. "Much better." She said pulling him back against her. A soft moan of need flew from him as her legs wrapped tightly around him.
"Mother Confessor, The Keeper is quite upset that you have left us." Kahlan's eyes flew open as she jumped forward. "I will have you by my side." She looked to Richard, sleeping soundly beside her, as she pulled the blankets to cover herself. "I will not leave Richard." She said softly, trying not to wake him. "You do not have a choice. You don't want him to suffer do you? After he brought you back. I am curious though, how was he able to save you? He has no magic." Kahlan half smiled "He has more magic that you know. He will find the stone and the Keeper will lose." Darken Rahl laughed loudly, making Kahlan quickly turn to be sure Richard hadn't awaken. "You know what I am capable of. You have one day to decide. Your life. Or his." Then he was gone. Kahlan waited a moment, trying to get her breath back, before she laid back. Closing her eyes, she rolled onto her side, facing away from him. As she started to cry softly, Richard opened his eyes fully awake.