Chapter 7

"We've been traipsing all over this forest for hours"! Zedd's bold yell was frightening the squirrels. Tyra didn't look too pleased either. "How could you possibly misplace the key to your "prize"? Did you roll out of bed that very morning and decide 'I think I'll capture the Mother Confessor today?' Really child, what got you into all this? You're obviously not an experienced villain". He had asked the question but he didn't really expect an answer. He was pulling her hurriedly along, heading back to town to search there again. Tyra explained that she really didn't want to hurt the Mother Confessor, but she was desperate for help. When she saw the Seeker in town with the Sword of Truth in hand, she seized the opportunity. She knew it was foolish now, but Grantham 'the Great' had filled her head with ideas on how he would help her to become a great sorceress. She was incompetent even as an enchantress and had wanted his help. Zedd felt sorry for the girl. She was young and inexperienced. She was on her own, easy prey for the likes of Grantham.

Back at the apothecary shop, Zedd once again began pulling each of the little drawers out of their slots. There were dozens of them, this would take some time. Tyra stopped him. "First Wizard…you don't actually need the key.

"What? Of course we need the key, the Mother Confessor needs her power, we can't keep her locked in a Rada' Han and powerless for the rest of her life." Tyra slowly backed away from him, keeping her eyes on his. "It's not truly a Rada' Han, she still has her power".

Zedd eyed her suspiciously, "What do you mean, it's not truly a Rada' Han? What is it? Where did it come from?"

She took a few more steps back. "It's an enchantment".

Zedd's eyes told her to explain, quickly.

"I told you I'm merely an enchantress. I purchased the collar from Grantham. It was just a collar; it held no magic. I enchanted it with a spell, to make it feel like her magic was being suppressed. It only feels to her like her power is gone. But it's not. I knew if she didn't feel her power, she wouldn't try to use it, not if she believed it was being suppressed by a true Rada' Han."

"Dear Sprits, you don't know what you've done. You don't understand how dangerous this can be!" He grabbed her wrist. "You're coming with me. We have to find the Mother Confessor and the Seeker! Now!"

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Kahlan wound her fingers into Richard's hair as the passion in his kiss melted into her. She wanted to remember everything. What it was like to be with the man she loved, the feel of his touch, his scent, the taste of him. It would need to last her a lifetime. She wrapped her arms around him, letting her hands freely roam his firm body as they kissed. Richard's passion was without restraint. He could barely breathe for want of kissing her. He gently pulled her to the blanket, lying on his back, his powerful arms pulling her to his chest. Her hair fell from her shoulders, enveloping him as they kissed. He wound his fingers into her long, thick hair, holding her to him, kissing her with an all consuming desire. He felt as if he were drowning…drowning in her. A small gasp escaped his lips. If this was to be his death, let it come...

There beside the lake, the sun shinning on the water, with the distant sound of the rushing river, they were one. Richard made love to her with all the passion and intensity of a man who would never hold his love again.

Overcome with emotion, Richard whispered her name. Kahlan had never dreamed she would ever know such passion, such desire. Such love. He looked into her eyes, taking her face in his hands and kissed her softly. He was flooded with joy at being able to share himself with the woman he so loved. Looking into those blue eyes, words didn't seem enough, but he said them anyway. "I love you Kahlan. From the first moment I saw you". She touched her hand to his face and looked at him as if she were looking into his very soul. "And I, you, Richard". For the first time since he had left Westland, his heart was truly at peace.

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