The morning sunrise was bright and woke Kahlan as soon as it hit her eyes, she squinted into the light, I was seated beside her, watching as the golden light fell gracefully on her soft features. Her cobalt eyes illuminating, the sun making her raven hair shine, she was so beautiful. She laid there for a few moments more

"You are a wondrous being Kahlan Amnell, it's not a great mystery why Richard is in love with you" my fingers ached with the need to run them through her hair, to feel her smooth skin "He is hurting Kahlan, he still cares for you deeply, he is grieving and he feels broken, he wants a quest so he doesn't have to think about the fact that he lost his grandfather, don't let him push you away" I placed my hand next to hers on the forest floor, imagining just for a moment that I could hold it in my grasp. Kahlan sighed and sat up, her shoulder brushing through my own, she looked around the makeshift camp her eyes finally falling on Richard. It killed me inside to know I was the cause of her pain, Richard was angry because I had taking his last family member. Kahlan watched as Richard turned in his sleep, he had been waking up during the night, he must have been exhausted. Kahlan stood grabbing her sack and walking to her horse, she was going to leave, I leapt to my feet, rushing to her side

"Stop, Kahlan"

Kahlan paused for a moment, she glanced at the sleeping form

"You can't leave him, you will be guaranteeing his death, without you Kahlan he will be killed, he needs you to keep him sane"

Kahlan's gaze returned to her horse, she watch the beast for a moment

"Kahlan?" Richard's tired voice reached us, he was sitting up, his hair ruffled from his restless night, it was clear from his expression that he thought she was leaving him

"I was packing up camp, thought you would want an early start" she said faking doing a strap on the horse, she kept her back to Richard closing her eyes.

"I'm sorry Kahlan" he shuffled his feet slightly, he wouldn't look at her as he spoke "I need this Kahlan, Need something to keep me going, keep my mind focus on something other than my grief" he clenched his hands, I watched as Kahlan walked back to him and sat beside him, she took his hands in hers. I pushed my jealousy to the back of my mind as I watched them look into each others eyes

"I know you are hurting Richard, but please don't shut me out, tell me when you are angry or upset or lost, I'm here" she brought his hands closer to her as they entwined their fingers "We have been through everything together Richard and we will get through this together" they stared into one another's eyes for a moment, I watched as Richard caressed her cheek, wiping away a tear that escaped her eye, the moment they began to lean in I turned my back not wanting to see the woman I love be embraced by another.

I know that she should be with Richard, it was always meant to be this way, I was just an obstacle that they had to overcome, it was obvious that they were made for each other, two sides of the same coin. But it still was like a knife through the heart, as their lips met I felt cold, which was impossible I know but still I wrapped my arms around myself. They packed their belongings and began their journey

"I saw a vision of a wizard, he is in hiding because of Rahl, he can be a valuable ally Kahlan" Richard spoke as they rode side by side, Richard and I watched for Kahlan's reaction, but she just nodded. While they rode I had a long time to my own thoughts, maybe it was time for me to leave, wander somewhere else, it was inevitable that I would lose Kahlan, either she would be killed or die of old age as I still remained a stranded spirit, I know Richard would do right by her, it was his nature, he would come to terms with the death of his grandfather and move on with Kahlan by his side, they would be happy together, as much as I wanted Kahlan to be happy, I could not watch her be with another man, I couldn't hover round them forever.

My thoughts were interrupted as D'harans flooded from the trees, weapons drawn and heading for Richard and Kahlan. They both dismounted and turned to fight, I watched helplessly as I was able to do nothing, they were out numbered but they were good fighters. They held them back for a while, but the D'harans were ruthless in their assault, one soldier circled round behind them, he was looking at Kahlan, he crept behind them, he was going to kill her, my body took over as I sprinted towards him

"Kahlan!" I called as I crashed into them man, he collapsed in a heap on the floor, as I stumbled after him, I looked up at him, he was searching the immediate area for the threat, Kahlan was turning as well her eyes wide with fear. The soldier tried to rush her but she threw her blade and it embedded itself in his chest, but still her eyes scanned the trees she was looking for something. Richard dispatched the last soldier her reached out grabbing Kahlan who stood frozen

"Kahlan come on lets go" he tried to pull her, but she resisted "Kahlan?" he glanced around trying to see what was stopping her

"We need to go" he started to pull her towards the horses "What's wrong?" he asked when she still refused to move

"I heard…" she began, her breathing rapid, she blinked "I thought I heard… him"

My head snapped up,

"Who Kahlan?" Richard asked, he was now looking around now

"He called my name" she muttered lost in her own thoughts

"Who?" Richard came to stand in front of her, looking into her eyes

She met his gaze "Alexios"