"Kahlan!" Cara called as she ran through the trees holding her agiel. "What did you do?" Kahlan dropped the knife and backed away from Richard. "That's not him!" Kahlan said as Cara knelt to his side "It looks like Richard to me!" Cara pushed on the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. "You know I would never hurt Richard!" "I saw you!" she stood and and turned to Kahlan, walking towards her with her agiel. "Look at his chest, it's not Richard!" Kahlan said as she pointed to his body. She turned, bent down and lifted his shirt, exposing his chest. "I don't see anything." "Exactly." Cara looked up confused. "The Keeper's Mark. The scars from Denna. They're all gone. That's not Richard." Cara stood quickly and gave his body a hard kick. "Who is it then?" "Jacob." Cara looked up at her and down at the body. "You really want that child don't you?" looking back to Kahlan, she nodded towards her pile of clothes "You should dress before we take him to Richard."
Kahlan had just finished lacing her fress when Richard came through the trees. Cara and Kahlan turned quickly at the sound of his footsteps. "What happened?" he asked once he saw the body laying beside Cara. "He came back." Kahlan said, starring over at the body." "What?" he walked closer and stopped once he saw the face. "That's me." "Jacob." Kahlan said. "How?" Richard looked over at Kahlan, who stood slowly. "It was easy." Jacob moaned out as he tried to sit up. "I watched you two last night. Saw what I had to do. Then I waited for her to be alone. and one thing lead to another..." he smiled widely at Kahlan "She was very passionate." Jacob looked to Richard, who had a smile on his face "That doesn't upset you?" I just told you she was very passionate while we were-" "She thought is was me." he looked down as Jacob's body transformed back to his own. "But it wasn't you. It was me." Cara laughed "Look how well that worked out for you."
Jacob looked at Cara and smiled "I may set you to flames." "You're welcome to try." Richard walked to Kahlan "What do you want to do with him?" she sighed "I don't know." they both looked to Jacob, who had managed to sit up. "Take your time. I'll just sit here and wait while I bleed to death." "Don't tempt us." Cara said smiling. "W e can't just leave him here." Richard said turning back to Kahlan "I know. We could take him to Aydindril." "That's days away!" Cara said stepping around Jacob "It's all we have. He will face the council." "We have a more pressing matter than the attempted conception of a child." Richard turned to her "We can't leave him here, he will follow us." "If he lives." "Cara, it's the only way. Kahlan's right." "Aydindril is in the opposite direction." Richard pulled some rope out of his bag and tossed it to Cara "Then we should hurry. Tie him up."
Cara walked several paces in front of them, pulling Jacob along beside her. "You're quiet." Richard said softly, looking at Kahlan. She kept her eyes on the ground as they walked "I feel like I should apologize, but I don't know what to say." Richard stopped walking "You have no reason to." turning towards him, she finally looked up "I almost lost control. I almost didn't care if I did." "Your power wouldn't hurt him." she stepped closer as she took in a deep breath "I didn't know that. I thought it was you." He smiled "Your power wouldn't hurt me either." She starred at him for a moment trying to find the words to tell him he was wrong. Shrugging she turned around and started walking. "You're wrong." She remained quiet for the rest of the walk back to Zedd. She never looked back to see if Richard was even behind them. She couldn't get herself to understand him. How could he believe that she wouldn't hurt him? All the times she had come close to unleashing her power on him played and replayed in her mind.. Even knowing the consequences, Richard believed that they could be together. It wasn't possible. Nothing was stronger than the touch of Confession. Nothing. And his hope was crushing her.
After Zedd healed Jacobs wound, Car and Kahlan filled him in on the even, while Richard watched Jacob. They sat by a tree a few feet from the fire "She cares for you." Richard said starring out into the day. "Why put her through this?" Jacob gave a small laugh "She cares for you too. And yet, you put her through more pain that I ever could." Richard turned, looking him in the eye "You're right. But I..." he looked over to Kahlan "I love her." Jacob sighed "There's your problem. You can't possibly love her. She's a confessor." Richard smiled "That's what she says." Jacob watched him as he stared at her. Never had he seen any man, who wasn't confessed, stare at a Confessor like Richard was now. A desire. A love that seemed all consuming. A love that filled him completely. "Are you certain she hasn't touched you?" Richards eyes didn't leave Kahlan "She has, just not in the way you think." his smile widened. "She would never need to force me to love her. She's the silent force that pulls me in with every word,smile, everything thing about her. I've been touched by the woman. Not the Confessor."
Jacob remained silent as he watched him. Richard would catch Kahlan's gaze and they would hold it as long as possible. Jacob thought for sure he could hear Richard's heart leap each time. "I've never seen anything like that." he said softly "How can you love somebody who could destroy you?" Turning his head, Richard's smile left his face "Kahlan would never hurt me. She could never hurt me. She can't destroy me because I am already hers" "Her power would consume you. Take away everything from you." The smile returned to Richard's face. "I don't care. My whole being is consumed with my love for her. There is nothing her power can take that I wouldn't give to her. That I haven't given her. Everything is hers." a soft smile crossed his lips "Don't let her push you away." a sigh escaped his mouth "She has no reason to fear me any loner. You have no reason to fear me. I felt her love for you when she kissed me... when she kissed you. It's strong." Richard studied his face carefully "I believe you. But why?" "I've know Kahlan for most of her life. The only think that tore her apart was that she knew no man could ever love her. Truly love her. The only thing she wanted. I wont stand in her one way to be happy. With you." Richard sighed "She'd never allow it. The one thing I know that would tear her apart is destroying me." he looked back to Kahlan, who was talking with Zedd and Cara "You said it yourself our feelings put her through more pain.
He turned back to Jacob. "How can i tell her she wont hurt me?" Jacob looked to Kahlan and back to Richard "There is only one way. If you're wrong it would destroy both of you," Richard turned to face him "What?" "If she destroys you. It destroys her." there was a few moments of silence before Jacob spoke again "Go to her. Show her. Your Mord-Sith can keep an eye on me." he looked up to see Cara walking towards them. Standing Richard took out his knife and cut the ropes that bound Jacob. "What are you doing?"Cara asked starring at him in shock "He's not going to be a problem.' he said as he passed Cara and walked straight to Kahlan. "Walk with me?" Kahlan looked up at him, a small smile on his face. "Please." Nodding, she stood slowly and walked beside him.
A few moments of silence passed as they walked. Richard couldn't figure out how to tell her. To tell her that he had found a way for them to be together. Be together in a way that he could fully show her how much he loved her. Show her... Jacob had said. Show her how? Suddenly Richard stopped walking and grabbed Kahlan's arm. Pulling her into his arms he kissed her. His kiss sent shivers through her body. His hands wondered over her back, holding her against him. His kisses went down her neck and over her shoulders, slowly, he pulled the sleeves of her dress down her arm, exposing more of her skin to his lips. By the time he made his way back to her neck, she was breathing so hard, she was practically panting with an uncontrollable desire. "Richard." she gasped out before his lips crushed hers again. Pushing her hand against his chest, she tried to push him away. Her hands pushed while her lips pulled at his. "We can't." she moaned when she pulled back to breath. His arms remained wrapped around her, one hand moving to caress her face, the other pulling her closer.
She looked into his eyes and saw something that she hadn't expected. There was a strong look love. Suddenly, all of her fears escaped her. Pulling him to her, she kissed him, pulling at his shirt until he lifted his arms and allowed her to pull it off. Bringing his lips back to hers, he ran his hands over her chest, looking for the string. Untying as quickly as he could, while she allowed her hands to roam his back. As her dress fell to the ground, he slowly had them follow. Moving them to the ground, gently, but forcefully, he pushed her to the ground and leaned over her. He carefully removed her corset, a small sound escaping her mouth as he ran his hand over her bare stomach. Pulling him down, she rolled them over, releasing his hair from her grasp, she ran her hands over his chest, slowly. Taking in the feel of him. His chest rose and fell with his heavy breathing.
He pulled her body to his, her hair falling down around her. His hands began to explore and without the fear and the worry of destroying him, she made love to him as she had dreamed thousands of times. Her power flowing through them as though it was a warm breeze. As he lay in her arms, slowly running his hand over her stomach as she ran her fingers through his hair. "How did you know?" she asked softly, closing her eyes "I just realized that I had nothing to lose. I would rather give myself to you, than live without you. I had no doubt that I would be taken by your power, because you have already touched me." He leaned up, looking at her, she opened her eyes and pulled his face to hers, kissing him. "We should probably get back to them." Richard said when their lips parted. "I'm sure they will understand." she said rolling over him.
Walking back to the others, Richard held Kahlan close to his side, not wanting to lose contact with her. When they came into view for the others, Cara and Zedd starred at them. Zedd with a smile on his face. "Rejoining the rest of us are we?" He asked, widening his smile "We could always go back." Richard said looking to Kahlan, both looking at each other as though they thought it may be their last chance to be together. "Okay, you two, we have to get going." Zedd said "We have a few more hours of light left." Richard looked to the tree where he and Jacob had been sitting by. "Where's Jacob?" he asked "He left. In the opposite direction you two went." Cara said "I followed him for a while." Richard laughed and picked up Kahlan's and his packs. "Well then, we better be moving." handing her, her pack, Richard leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss.
