Since the morning she woke up in his arms on the hard forest ground, not a moment passed when Kahlan didn't think about Richard's arms around her, his hand all over her body and his mouth on hers. It wasn't only her thoughts that changed after that night. Her relationship with Richard changed as well. Before that night, Richard was the one single person that she felt most comfortable with. He was her best friend and her confident, and she knew she could tell him anything. After that night, the tension between them became so strong that Kahlan could barely look in Richards's eyes, not that this was a problem any longer. Richard seemed to be unable to be in the same room with her, and when they were forced to attend the same classes, he ran out before she had a chance to even say hello. But unlike the time she told him her secret, this time she didn't blame him. The minute she saw his face that morning, Kahlan knew that Richard was no longer just her friend. He was something else. He was her lover. Except confessors didn't have friends, and they certainly didn't have lovers. But that's what he was and Kahlan knew it. No man has ever touched her like that. The way he made her feel was strange, wonderful and scary all at the same time. And it changed everything. Richard crossed a line that should not be crossed among friends and although she knew it was suppose to make her upset, she couldn't be mad at Richard for doing what they both wanted. She only wished they could be close again, however with the words Richard whispered in her ear, she also knew that Richard was not going to give up, and one way or another, they will be together. This was not the end of them, she thought. It was the beginning of something else completely.
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Richard pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, trying to concentrate. It has been weeks since he slept for the last time and thinking about it, he realized that the last time he slept soundly was when Kahlan was in his arms. It was yet another reminder for something he didn't need reminding of. He was barley able to concentrate on his studies and mistress Dana lessons became a constant beating but all he could think about was his Kahlan. The night they spent together and the memory of the feel of her made him ache with longing. He knew that if he didn't find a way for them to be together soon he will go mad and simply grab her and run away. He needed her not only for his selfish reasons, but because without her he was unable to function. He couldn't even be in the same room with her without thinking about the taste of her lips and her soft skin. He ran as fast as he could every time they were in class together, simply so he could resist his urges and not grab her and kiss her on the spot. He knew Kahlan wasn't blaming him or even mad at him. He knew she understood. She was everything to him and he would do everything in his power to be with her. It was just a matter of time until he found a way, and in the mean time the only thing that comforted him was the fact Kahlan was waiting for him and that she we'll be here when the time comes.
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Surprisingly, Cara and Jennsen became good friends. At first it seemed like the difference in character would make it impossible for them to even like each other but Jennsen's sweet and easy character was far too kind to be insulted by Cara's remarks while Cara's loyalty and protectiveness helped Jennsen avoided some of the less friendly girls, such as Violet of tamerang. The spent a lot of time together, partly because of Richard and Kahlan but mostly because Cara found Jennsen's chatter quiet nice to have around. Jennsen's thoughts of the recent events were a bit naïve in Cara's opinion, but Jennsen always seemed to have a special insight on things, and maybe she was right. After all, when she confided in Jennsen that she liked Benjamin, Richards best friend, it was Jennsen who told her that he liked her as well, and she was right. Cara and Ben were dating for a while now and Cara was secretly very happy and thankful. Spring break was coming soon and she and Ben were planning on spending it together in D'hara. Jennsen would be there too, but Richard already said he was staying in school to catch up on some needed work. Kahlan was staying too, unwilling to spend most of her vacation on a trip to Aydindril. Both Jennsen and Cara figured out long ago that Richard and Kahlan will be staying alone in a virtually empty school, but failed to mention it to neither of them. Best if they found out themselves, they though. Surprise might be the thing to make them work through their issues finally.