I awoke with denna's naked body against mine, a silhouette by the entrance

"Sir, it's the confessor she's escaped" the soldiers voice rattled,

I stood abruptly, storming towards him, he backed away cowering

"WHAT?" I raged as I grabbed my sword, Denna was now standing behind me "secure the seeker" I said pushing past the shaking soldier

"which way?" I ordered

He raised a hand pointing into the dark forest nearby, before he could utter any words I was sprinting into the shadows, she already had a head start on me, but she was wearing white and I was faster with superior senses, she would not get far. I strained my ears listening for the sound of her racing heart that I knew so well, inhaled for the sweet scent of her skin, it took me only a moment to locate her, she had stopped running, so I slowed my pace as to remain undetected. Closer and closer I got, the sound of her heart becoming louder, she was close enough for me to hear her breathing, she tried to keep it steady but there was a slight shake to it.

"it's over Kahlan" I said into the darkness knowing she could hear me "you cannot escape me"

Her breath caught as she tried to hold back tears then her small voice echoed "I loved you" then she stepped from her hiding place, the moonlight reflecting off her white confessor dress

I walked towards her "you were in love with a ghost" I came to a halt in front of her "he wasn't real"

"you're wrong" she breathed "he was the man you would've become if you never met Darken Rahl, a better man"

" he made me strong"

"NO" her hand slapped across my face, stinging my cheek "he made you weak"

"caring is weakness, love is weakness" I stormed stepping closer so she was on the backfoot "I have the power to take whatever I want, the strength to defeat my enemies, nothing can stop me" I grabbed her wrist, staring into her eyes, glistening with tears. I froze, for some reason I couldn't move even when I saw the dagger plunge into my chest, I let out a roar of pain as Kahlan pulled out of my grasped and tried to escape. My fingers curled around the hilt, the burning pain flooded my body as I pulled at the blade, feeling the blood flow down my bare chest. My teeth gritted together as with one final tug the dagger was freed from my chest, without hesitation I pursued the woman in white

"KAHLAN!" I called anger and pain filling my voice, I summoned my magic and felt my wound slowly starting to stitch back together, I pushed myself fast ignoring the pull in my chest, I was hot on her heels and gaining fast, when I was close enough I launched myself into her pushing her to the forest floor, she cried out in pain, I kept her pinned there for a moment as I got the full strength in my shoulder back. standing I hauled her with ease, she struggled for a moment before finally slumping in defeat, she knew there was no way to escape me.

I dragged her back through the forest not slowing when she stumbled, soon we were back in the clearing with the tents, Denna was just exiting the tent where the seeker was being kept, when she saw us and the blood that covered my chest she cracked, lunging towards Kahlan with her Agiel. Before I could react the weapon was connected with Kahlan's stomach causing her to scream and double over in pain, the screech of the agiel echoing as the soldiers watched the torture. My body reacted grabbing the agiel forcing it away from Kahlan, with the other I pushed Denna back, causing her to fall to the ground

"NO!" I yelled,

"she tried to kill you!" retorted Denna quickly getting back to her feet

I stared down into her eyes "you will not touch her again" I whispered fury in my voice

Denna just stared at me, looking for something in my eyes and finding it

My hand still held the agiel, my arm tensed from the pain, I dropped it at her feet turning swiftly, pulling Kahlan from her knees towards her tent, glaring at the soldiers in my way, I halted suddenly a thought crossing my mind.

"who was guarding the mother confessor?" I asked calmly, when there was no answer I turned to face every one of them "Well?"

A few of the soldiers looked at each other, their breaths showing in the cold night air, there was a scuffling and a man bolted from a group of soldiers, running towards the forest. In one fluid move I drew Kahlan's blade from my boot and launched it at the fleeing coward, my aim was true and he fell with the dagger lodged into his back, without another word I forced Kahlan into the tent, pushing her up against the beam in the centre where she had been chained to before. There was sweat on her brow when she faced me, sorrow in her cobalt eyes, her chest heaving with her breathing. Her lips connected with mine, warm soft lips, they tasted so sweet as they moved with mine, I felt her hand on my bare chest sliding up to my neck, what was I doing?

I pulled back clicking the shackles around her wrists, she slowly opened her eyes recognition in them, I could feel my heart pounding against my ribcage, I could not form any words, my mind fogged, like two conflicting personas fighting for dominance in my head, in my heart. I did the only thing I was sure I could do, I walked away.

Denna did not return to the tent that night, sleep did not come to me, I tried to make sense of my thoughts my actions. I protected Kahlan because it was the Lord Rahl's wish for them to return alive to the peoples palace and Denna would surely kill her given half the chance, that was the only reason

And the kiss? I thought to myself, she took me by surprise, that was all. I was Thanatos son of night and darkness, lord Rahl's loyal servant, I was the strongest warrior, with more kills and victories to my name than any other, and I would bring death to Richard Cypher and Kahlan Amnell when the Lord Rahl sees fit. That was my one and only mission and I will see it fulfilled. The darkness inside swirled in agreement. I am Andolian, I am strong, I am powerful.