His arm held her close to him, her back pressed firmly against his chest. Slowly, his fingers made circles over her stomach as he thought. "You were awake, weren't you?" Kahlan's voice was soft, her eyes were still closed as she silently hoped. "Yes." Her breath caught in her throat as tears began to collect in her eyes. "He said you had a choice to make. What is it Kahlan?" he asked, pulling his arm from her body. She turned to lay on her back, grabbing his arm and holding it over her. "I don't have to make a decision, Richard. You brought me back." A few tears fell down her cheeks as he pulled his arm from her hold and sat forward. "What is it?" he asked again, his voice harder. Slowly, Kahlan sat forward, pulling the blanket up to cover herself. She felt more exposed in that moment, than she did when he carried her naked through the woods. "He told me it was simple. I could help him destroy you, or I could choose to help you." Starring down at the bed she continued "When you started to bring me back Richard, they were scared. They had come to me and- Then I started to return so they gave me the option to help or hurt you." Looking to him, she fixed her eyes on the back of his head as he starred at the wall. "It wasn't a hard choice, Richard. I would never betray you." Slowly, he turned his head until he was able to see her. "I know, but Kahlan, why would he come here to you?" Her eyes fell quickly to the covers. "You know why."
He turned his body to face her, "Why didn't you tell me?" "Because it doesn't matter what he wants. I belong to you, Richard, Not him. He cannot have me." He starred into her blue eyes, "I will have you by my side. That's what he said Kahlan. I will have you by my side." Kahlan pushed the covers from her body and moved to him, wrapping her arms around him and holding him tightly to her. "I'm yours Richard. Yours alone." His worries briefly left his mind as she held him. His arms encircled her, trying to get closer. "I can't lose you again Kahlan." He whispered into her chest. "I'm not going anywhere." His lips made contact on the closest flesh, sending a soft moan from her as she tilted her head back, trying to give him skin for him to devour. "Richard," she pushed back after a moment, "I don't want to do this with you upset with me." Reluctantly, he pulled his lips from her skin, and looked up. "I'm not upset, Kahlan." Releasing the breath, she didn't know she was holding, Kahlan pushed herself away from him. "Yes you are, you can't lie to me." Shaking his head, his body moved to follow hers. "I'm not upset. I was, but now, I'm just hurt." Tears fell down her cheeks as she listened "I can't be upset with you, you have explained your choice to me, but I can't help but feel hurt that I had to ask you to."
"I'm sorry, I cannot take back what I have done, but I am sorry that I hurt you." She looked from his face to the blankets as she pulled them to cover herself. Richard watched her for a moment, pulling on the blankets, before he moved to her side, moving under the covers beside her. With his back against the headboard, he pulled her close to him, allowing her head to rest on his shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her. "I love you." He smiled at her words as he mindlessly ran his fingers through her hair. "And I love you, Kahlan." He could feel the smile slowly cross her lips as he pulled her closer. "When I woke up in the underworld, I looked for you. I didn't know what they would do to you." She closed her eyes as she allowed her mind to recall the event. "Darken Rahl was waiting for me. I turned and- He asked me how it felt to be away from you." She could feel his heart pounding against her cheek as she continued. "I told him you would defeat the keeper without me. He touched me, as he told me he was glad I could finally be by his side- for me to be his. I told him I would never be his or be by his side. That when you died, you would come for me. Fight for me. He told me that the state you were in was no condition to defeat anyone. He showed me. I watched you." Shutting her eyes tighter, she took in a deep breath as her tears leaked from her eyes and slid down his chest. "I watched as you held my body. As you cried, begged for the spirits to take your life. I couldn't stand to see you like that. I wanted so badly to run to you, to pull you into my arms and never let you go. I wanted to yell at you. To tell you how much more important your life was." She wrapped her arms tighter against him. "Then I saw the light around you. I didn't know what it was, I didn't care, and it caused Darken Rahl to panic. I saw the burst flow from you before he turned me to face him. He told me I was going to return to you and that I had a choice I needed to make." His hand stopped moving though her hair, she felt him hold in his breath with fear of what she would tell him. "He told me if I remained with you, you would suffer, but if I returned to him. If I did, if I allowed myself to be his, The Keeper would allow you to continue with your life as you were before."
Kahlan's heart was pounding in her ears as she remembered the look on Rahl's face. "He told me that I had two days to decide or he would come for you with all the force he has. He started to say something else, when you pulled me back to you… Richard?" he looked to see her starring up at him concerned. "I used on of your day's Kahlan. When I carried you here. He will return tonight expecting you to have made your choice." Shaking her head, Kahlan lifted herself from his hold, bringing her face to his. "It's not my choice to make. Not mine alone." Her hands gently held his face. "If one of us must die, it will be me." "No!" Kahlan cried out as she buried her face in the crook of his neck. "I can't let you die, Richard!" her arms locked around him, holding herself as close to him as she could as she cried. "Kahlan, I can't lose you again-" "And I can lose you?!" pushing away from him, pounded her fist against his chest. "I refuse to live without you!" the words forced from her lips, filled the room, echoing through his ears to his heart. Taking hold of her hand, he pulled it between them, holding it tightly as he looked into her red, wet eyes. "I know, but-" "No, Richard I will not let you die!" she brought her other hand to rest on his cheek, her thumb lightly caressing it. "I will do anything to keep you safe. I will not let you trade your life for mine."
Richard slowly released her hand, bringing his to the sides of her face. "I will not let you do it for me either, Kahlan. I lost you once, and I can't- I just can't lose you again." Tears fell silently from his eyes as they stared into each other's eyes. Speaking without words. Both vowing to die for the other, knowing their lover was doing the same. Moving her hand, she slowly ran her thumb across his lips, her tongue tracing the same path on her own lips. His eyes followed her tongue, arousal raising within him as she moved closer, sharing his breath. Her eyes left his lips, moving slowly to his eyes. Seeing the dark desire in her eyes, he leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers. Opening her mouth slightly, she allowed his begging tongue entrance. Pulling her closer, he helped her move over him, one knee on either side of him, the blanket covering any part of her fell as his hands began to rediscover her body. Their kisses were filled with a passionate fear. The fear of losing the one they loved most. Pulling her body against his, he made love to her for what he feared would be the last time.
With her fingers tracing along his chest, he allowed his mind to wonder. He had to protect her. The Keeper would have to fight him to get to Kahlan. "What are you thinking?" she asked, sliding her leg over his, watching him close his eyes. "Protecting you." Releasing a deep breath, Kahlan pulled her body closer to him. "You can't protect me forever." "I can try." He replied before placing a kiss to the top of her head. The feeling of her body snuggly against his, her lips lightly pressed to his chest, her hand moving slowly down his side, the scent of her hair, he had never felt this calm. All his options laid before him. He knew what he needed to do. A soft moan escaped his lips as she moved over him. He took in the sight before him, her hair flowing over her shoulders, covering the tops of her breasts. Leaning forward, he slipped his hand behind her neck, burying it into her hair, lightly pulling her closer to him. "Not until you tell me your plan." She said as his lips touched hers. "I know you Richard, you have a plan." She pulled back, pushing her hair off her shoulders, reviling herself, trying to urge him to talk. "I'm going to save you Kahlan." He spoke without removing his eyes from her breasts, his hands sliding over her thighs. "How?" she said breathlessly as she allowed her eyes to shut as he played her game.
"Yes, Seeker. How do you plan to save the woman you love?" Rahl's voice came from behind Kahlan causing her to open her eyes. Quickly, Richard pulled her forward, pressing her body to his as he pulled the covers over them, trying to keep Rahl from seeing her body. "I have already seen her, brother. She has already come to me once. She is very nice to look at. But, I am more interested in your plan to save her." Sitting forward, clutching Kahlan against him, he looked calmly at Rahl. "I wish to trade myself for her. My life for hers." Kahlan turned to him in disbelief. "No! You can't do that Richard!" a smile spread across Rahls face "You would allow your soul to belong to the keeper? You would leave the woman you claim to love? Give up your own life?" "Killing Kahlan would destroy my life. I have nothing to lose except her." "Richard, what are you doing?" her hands took hold of his face, forcing him to look at her as she pulled out of his grasp, moving between him and Rahl. "You can't trade your life for mine. I won't let you." "Kahlan, I can't live without you. I won't lose you again," she starred into his eyes, trying to understand. With a sigh of crushed defeat, she pulled her hands from his face and turned to Rahl. "Do you agree to his terms?" she asked as he starred at her exposed chest. His smile widened as he saw Richard's face grow angry. "I will bring your request to the Keeper. It is he you must convince." Taking one last look at Kahlan's body, he turned and disappeared through the flames that surrounded him.
"Kahlan." Tears fell from her eyes as she continued to stare where he once stood. "Kahlan." Richard repeated, starring at her back. She didn't move. "Kahlan!" he half shouted, taking hold of her shoulders and turning her to face him. Panicked, he pulled her close, cupping her face "Kahlan!" "You shouldn't have done that!" pushing herself away, she pounded a fist against his chest once again. "You can't trade your life for mine!" "I can't live without you, If I were to-" "You can't live without me? I can't live without you!" she shouted removing herself from the bed. "I wouldn't just drop dead if we didn't take the deal, and then you just go and throw yourself at the Keeper!" Pulling the covers from the bed, she wrapped herself and began to pace.
"I can't believe you did that! Why would you do that? You can't live without me?" she turned to him "If you die, I have to live without you! It would be my fault. How do you expect me to be okay with that?! Being responsible for your death!" he watched her, he could almost see her heart breaking through her eyes, the pain she felt flew from them, filling the air. "Richard, I'm not going to let you do this." "I'm not going to watch you die again!" her heart stopped at his words. Terror filled his voice, pain flooded his features "They won't kill me Rich-" "They already have!" "You won't let them hurt me-" "I didn't let them before, and look what happened! I watched you die!" he stood, hearty pounding against his chest "You're not safe with me." Closing the distance between them, she wrapped her arms around him, forgetting the blanket that covered her. "I am only safe when I am with you. Richard, when I'm with you, I am never afraid. I know you'll protect me." "I've already failed you, I won't-" "You didn't fail me." Looking up she smiled softly "Before Nicci- I looked at you and all my fears, they were gone. I felt… safe. I knew that no matter what, you would fight for me, that you loved me." Looking down, he lost himself in her eyes, the love that flowed from them, surrounding them. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her as tight as he could without crushing her. "Whatever happens, Richard, we can go survive it together." "Together." He agreed as she slowly pushed them towards the bed.
A loud pop came from the foot of the bed as Rahl appeared. "Still in bed?" he asked smiling. Kahlan lay comfortably in Richard's arms as he held her tightly. "We no longer have a deal for you." she said with a smile of her own. Rahl's eyes moved for Kahlan to Richard "You are willing to lose her?" his smile widened. "I'm not going to lose her. I will not let you have her." Taking a step closer to the bed, Rahl looked back to Kahlan. "It would be your fault. When he dies trying to protect you." She shook her head. "No. It would be yours." The look in her eyes hardened as she continued. "If I lose him, I will not rest until I have sealed the rift myself, until you and your monsters are locked away for eternity." Rahl's head tilted at her statement. "You appear to have made your decision." He smiled "The Keeper will not rest until you are his and you will be his." His eyes moved over Kahlan, taking in the sight what flesh was exposed. "You will be by my side, Mother Confessor." Her smile widened "I will never be by your side." "I will have what I want." He heatedly replied before the flames took him. "Richard?" he looked to find her starring at him, concerned. "He's not going to stop coming for you." "I guess this means you can't leave my side." She replied playfully, bringing a smile to his face. "I wouldn't dream of leaving your side." Turning to face him, she smiled "I'm hungry." His laugh filled the room as he pulled her into his arms.
"Thank the spirits you are both alright!" Zedd's said as he walked through the tavern door, followed by Cara, Leo and Sister Verna. Standing Richard hugged Zedd, "What in prophets name happened to you?" he said before pulling Kahlan into his arms for a hug. "Ronan didn't tell you?" "No, he said it was not his story to tell." Sister Verna said softly. "So What happened?" Cara said sitting down in Richard's chair. "It's a long story." Kahlan replied smiling at her. "With you two it always is." Cara said with a smirk. "So, what happened?" Leo said, pulling a chair to himself. Kahlan looked at Richard "Well, after Nicci captured us, she killed Kahlan." Everyone looked at her, eyes wide "What!? How is it she is alive?" Zedd asked looking back at Richard. "It may go faster if you didn't interrupt the story." Verna said nodding for Richard to continue.
"You said Nicci had taken your powers?" Zedd said as Richard finished. "Yes." "His han is still present. I can sense it." Verna said smiling. "You brought her back." "How could I have? I didn't have any powers to save us before." "You did have your powers. Sister Nicci couldn't have possibly known how strong it was with you. You have brought her back." She stated proudly, looking over to Kahlan who spoke softly with Leo and Cara. "Sister Verna, I don't understand-" "In time you will. I have no doubt that Zeddicus will be more than capable to answer your questions as you continue with the quest." She smiled warmly. "I must return to the Prelate." Smiling, Richard took a step towards her, "Thank you. For everything." "You're welcome, Richard." He hugged her to him, whispering his thanks once more. "Mother Confessor, I you are well looked after. May the spirits protect you." Kahlan stood and embraced the Sister. "Thank you." She replied as she pulled back to look at her. "We should escort you back to your home." "No, I will be safe." "You will be taking Ronan with you?" Sister Verna smiled "Yes. He has helped save The Mother Confessor. He will need a safe place." "Thank you." Kahlan repeated. "Where is Ronan?" "He is gathering us some supplies for our travel."
"We should get moving." Zedd said dropping his spoon into his empty bowl. "Yes." Leo agreed, standing. "I have your dress here, Kahlan." Zedd said pulling the clothing from his pack. "Thank you Zedd." Taking it, she turned towards the stairs. "You will protect her." Sister Verna said as she saw Richard's eyes follow Kahlan up the stairs. "I have to." Placing her hand to his forearm, she gave it a gentle squeeze. "If I know anything, it is that your love for each other will save you." He smiled, turned to thank her, only to see her disappearing through the door. "We can't let either of you out of our sites. Look at the trouble you get yourselves into." Cara said with a smirk. "So. Did you miss me?" Richard laughed "Yes. I did. I missed you all." His laugh turned into a wide grin as he watched Kahlan return down the stairs. "Are you ready?" he asked, knowing she would understand his question. "For anything." She replied taking hand he held out for her. Turning, they followed Cara, Leo and Zedd to the door "He we go." Richard said tightening his hold on her hand as they walked through the door.