"I want you to be selfish."

That was all Richard needed to abandon all his previous thoughts. That one sentence renewed all his faith in being with Kahlan, in finding a way. He was convinced that he wouldn't be affected by her magic. He knew Kahlan didn't feel the same, but she seemed to abandon her thoughts as well. Six words. That's all it took for Richard. She would be his.

Six words and he was ready and willing to give up his soul to her.

No time was wasted and he quickly captured her lips, wrapping an arm securely around her waist, bringing her flush against him. He smiled when he heard Kahlan moan softly, his tongue begging for entrance. She complied quickly, her senses coming back to her as she wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. Kahlan suddenly pulled away.

Along with her senses came her conscience.

"Richard... we can't, I'll confess you," she tried to move farther away, but Richard's grip on her waist didn't waver and his other hand shot up and grabbed her by the wrist, rubbing his thumb gently across her flesh. "Richard," she whimpered softly, wanting nothing more than to give in, to let him do what she so desperately wanted him to.

When her eyes met his, Richard was smiling at her. Kahlan's lower lip trembled as she fought back tears. How could she let go of her control and destroy this man? Aydindril was only a day away, she should be able to keep herself together, realizing very well what was coming. Yet, she didn't try to move away.

"Kahlan," his voice was soft and understanding, but commanding. "There's nothing to fear. I want this just as badly as you do. I love you, Kahlan Amnell. My soul is a small price to pay to keep you from bedding another. This? Our love? It's stronger than any magic could ever be. I want nothing more than to make you mine, and I know you want the same. Let me show you what it's like to be a regular woman, one that can freely love the man she's with. Please," his hand dropped from her wrist and cradled her face. "Let me."

Her eyes watered as she tried to be reasonable. Damn it all. Why did she always have to be rational? Why did she always have to put others in front of herself? Why would she be forced to lay with a man she held no feelings for? Why was she pushing Richard away when all he wanted to do was love her? This would be the only opportunity she would have like this: to be with a man she loves, one who isn't scared to be touched by her magic, a man who is insane enough to welcome it. He was already devoted, would confession make that much of a difference? He'd fight with more ferocity if she demanded it. She could tell him to march across the Midlands and kill Darken Rahl and he would do so just because she said. He would do anything she asked, regardless if he was confessed. He already did the little things she asked, always offering to bring her things or make her more comfortable. Realization hit her and Kahlan's eyes grew in shock.

Confession couldn't change Richard.

Even if her magic did touch him, it wouldn't alter his personality by much, if at all. It was still a risk, but now she felt more confident in her irrationality. She was going to have this man. Kahlan's eyes flickered to his lips and began to take in his face. The soft moonlight seemed to make him glow. His brown eyes were shining, begging her to let him show her how much he loved her. She swallowed and tried to calm her nerves.

Spirits, she could wait no longer. Instead of verbally responding, she crashed into him, tugging at his shirt.

Richard stumbled back, pleasantly surprised with her reaction. His arousal grew when she began persistently grabbing at his shirt, ripping it out of his pants. It only confirmed his belief that she wanted him just as badly as he wanted her. He was slightly shocked with how straight forward she was being, seeming to leave all modesty behind her. All that was left was the dire need to become one.

It didn't take Kahlan very long to strip Richard of his shirt. She reluctantly broke the kiss just long enough to have him discard the clothing before she joined their lips again. Her hands roamed along his body, relishing the feel of his muscles under her fingertips. Richard snaked a hand between them, working on the laces of her dress. She giggled when he started pulling on them harder, moving away and smiling up at him.

"Eager?" Kahlan rose an eyebrow as she grasped Richard's hand, directing him on how to unlace the dress. He chuckled, partly out of embarrassment. When the dress was unlaced, she shrugged and the right half fell off her shoulder. Richard rested his forehead against hers, giving her a chaste kiss before running hot and wet ones down her neck, peppering her freckled skin with his mouth. She shivered under his touch.

Richard gave a small tug to the dress, causing it to fall off of her form all together. Kahlan was now just in her corset, and though covered, Richard's excitement began to grow. It had been too long since he was moving over her, showering her with kisses. This time he prayed to the spirits that Zedd wouldn't come rushing in. As far as Richard was concerned, this was not Zedd's jurisdiction.

His heart rate quickened when he felt Kahlan's hands reach towards his breeches, her fingers expertly working the ties that restrained him. His face reddened, chastising himself for not being able to untie her dress, yet she, a virgin, was managing to unclothe him with no problems. At least, he assumed she was a virgin. She knew about her powers, but it was a shock to her about how they were released during the act of love making. Her stilled hands brought his attention back to her. She had untied the laces enough for him to slip out when he pleased, but not enough to allow the pants to fall off. Her hands now rested on his hips.

Richard kissed along her jawline before bringing his face in front of hers. She smiled at him, her blue eyes glistening. Although nervous and anxious, she wanted nothing more than for Richard to claim her. It was what she had been constantly thinking of since she first saw him in the marketplace. She just wanted to be his, and now she would be. She wasn't aware of the tears that fell down her cheeks until Richard's expression changed to one of worry.

"Ka-"

"No, no..." Kahlan shook her head, not wanting him to think she didn't want this - didn't want him. "Since Zedd told me of how my powers act with..." she timidly glanced up at him and felt her cheeks redden. She didn't know why she was suddenly shy, with both of them half clothed. "Well, I never thought I'd lose my maidenhood to a man I actually loved. I always assumed it'd be to a man who I had confessed, one that held a diety-like love for me. The fact that you are willing to risk yourself in order to show me what it feels like to be loved is just..." Kahlan couldn't finish her thoughts and began shaking her head, wanting the tears to stop. Richard wrapped his arms around her, letting her cry against him. Her tears hit his skin and he was thankful that he was going to be able to show Kahlan what love really is.

"I love you, Kahlan." Richard spoke softly against her hair, his hands tenderly rubbing her back.

She held back her overwhelming emotions and pulled away from his comforting chest, looking into his brown eyes. Kahlan lifted her hand, brushing Richard's cheek with the back of her fingers.

"Make me yours," her voice was barely above a whisper as she smiled up at him, tears still threatening to fall out of her eyes. Richard gently rested a hand under her chin, pushing up until she was making direct eye contact with him.

"Yes, my confessor." Kahlan wanted to break down and sob. The warmth and love in his voice made her heart swell.

Richard leaned in and kissed her, his hands moving to the back of her corset.

Soon, all clothing was discarded. Kahlan sighed as her back rested on the grass, Richard climbing over her, constantly kissing her skin. When their flesh met, it felt like rapture. Richard was very attentive, making sure that Kahlan enjoyed her first time - he was certain it wouldn't be the last that they would have. Their bodies fit together perfectly, their movements in unison.

It wasn't long before the thunder of her magic resounded throughout the woods.