"I found the last of the men. I left him bleeding in the dungeons."

Kahlan could hear the pleasure in her friend's voice, though the smile on her face made it more than clear. "What happened?"

"He told me his every secret."

"And...?"

"You were right."

Rushing past her friend, she closed the door to her office. "Spirits..."

"Kyra and Dianne are keeping an eye on them until you tell us what you want us to do."

"If we do anything and it turns out they were all in on it, there is no coming back. She wanted me dead, who knows what else she is will to do to push me out of her way."

"If we kill her before the sun sets, she can't call for help."

"And if she already has it? We can't assume she's done this on her own. I've known her my whole life, Cara. She's not ignorant."

"She tried to have you killed, the woman clearly failed to inherit brains. When Richard finds out, there will be no stopping-"

"You cannot tell him yet," the Confessor spoke quickly. "We both know what he will do and until we have a better handle of this... She would know how angry he would be, this can't be the whole of her plan. This is too simple."

"She tried to kill you and failed. If it had worked, that would have needed to be her only plan."

"We need to get answers. Can your Mord'Sith bring her to me without anyone else seeing?"

"They can kill her without anyone seeing."

"Hold onto the thought."

******

"Have you seen Kahlan?" Richard asked his grandfather, who was uncharacteristically walking down the hallway, while the fresh smell of their lunch filled the air around them.

Shaking his head, the older man lifted his head from his book and came to a stop. "Not since this morning when she was with Cara."

Knowing that she had been with his friend took a small amount of worry off his mind. "Where were they?"

"They were leaving her office."

"Did she say anything?"

"She said hello," the wizard grinned. "What's going on?"

"I don't know, but I haven't been able to shake this feeling that something's happening. I can't fine Kyra or Diana either."

"I'm sure they're fine, probably walking through this city trying to scare people."

The Seeker chuckled with a nod, knowing that they did miss the fear in people's eyes. "If you see Kahlan, tell her I need to speak with her."

Before his grandfather could respond, Richard walked passed him and down the hall. He had searched the inside of the palace more than twice and had yet to see any sign of the woman he loved, leading him to believe there was only one other place to search. Exiting the palace gates, he looked around at the footprints, hoping to see one that was familiar. Kahlan had once told him that when they were separated, she had gone into the forest around the palace to feel closer to him, bringing his legs to instantly begin marching toward the thick brush.

After an hour, he felt his bones shake and his heart stop. He always felt the release of her magic, almost sharing the moment with her. Turning on his heels, he rushed to his right and moved deeper into the trees, trying desperately to get to her as quickly as possible. If anything happened to her, to their child, he would never forgive himself. When she was in his line of sight, he froze as he realized she was with Cara, Kyra, Diane and the head of the High Council was bloody and on her knees before them. She was in tears and begging for forgiveness, telling Richard he had another reason to be worried.

"What's going on?"

Looking up, the group of women stared at him as they waited for the Mother Confessor to say something.

"They found the person responsible for the attack."

"How is that possible? She's the-"

"I'm so sorry, Mistress! Please forgive me!"

Coming to her side, Richard pulled Kahlan close. "Why didn't you mention this earlier? If you suspected-"

"I was hoping I was wrong."

"If Brenda was behind this, who knows how many more of your council members are in on it. Kahlan, you can't go back there."

"That's why we're out here. She will tell us everything." Stepping closer to the older woman the brunette gritted her teeth. "Are there any other council members working with you?"

Nodding, the woman cried harder. "Yes, Mistress."

"Who?"

"There are many of them, Mistress. I needed most of them on my side to hire the men. I'm so sorry!"

The anger burned off of the man at her side. He was breathing heavily and tightening his knuckles until they were stone cold and white. They seemed to be feeding off of each other's emotions. "Give me their names."

"Adam, Joanna, Felix, Ashlee, Sara, Michael and Philip."

Her eyes closed in disbelief as her mind spun. "The others must have known."

"Yes, mistress, but they did not agree with my plan."

"And what is your plan?" Richard demanded.

"Confessors have ruled for too long, with too much power. And your mate has magic within him. Mixing the powers together will make the child unstoppable. We've seen how angry the Seeker can become, his mind lost in fury. If we allowed you both to have a child, it would bring terror."

Kahlan felt the rage she had previously seen in Richard's eyes, only now it was boiling within her own veins and she was sure he felt it coming from her. "You would rather I give birth to Darken Rahl's monster of a child instead of taking the small risk that the child I had with Richard was a little angry?"

"No, Mistress. We thought about it for weeks. The risk is high that your child will be like the Seeker. He has a temper like no other, your child runs the risk of being far worse than that of Darken Rahl."

She felt him step away from her, his thought as clear as the view around them. Turning, she moved toward him and took hold of his hand. "Richard-"

"They're right, Kahlan. You've seen-"

"They don't know you, Richard."

"I scared you the other day. You. They're right to fear me."

Tightening her hold on his hand, she pulled him closer. "No, they're not. You scared me yes, but I never once thought you or our children would cause anyone harm. You scared me because you keep it buried inside and I feel like I don't know you. I'm not afraid you'll hurt me. I'm afraid that you'll be so far gone one day, I won't be able to reach you. I'm not afraid you'll hurt us. They have no reason to believe what they do. They don't know you."

"It's not just them."

Confused, Kahlan let go of his hand and took a single step back. "You've been afraid of hurting us and never said anything? This whole time you've been thinking you're a threat to us and chose to keep it to yourself?"

"This is why I didn't-"

Turning away, she looked to one of the Mord'Sith and gave a small smile. "Can I ask you for another favor?"

Kyra nodded, "Of course, Mother Confessor."

"Take Brenda to the dungeons and put her in the cell with Darken Rahl." Looking to the older woman, who still knelt before them in tears, the brunette met her eyes. "I should have you executed for what you have done, but I will not. You will spend what is left of your life with someone you should fear." Bringing her eyes to Cara, she stepped closer. "I need you to get the rest of the council and do the same. You are free to do anything you feel necessary to get them there."

The blonde grinned, please with the request. "Dianne and I will have them all in the cell before dinner."

When they were alone, she turned back to the man she thought she knew better than anyone. "Is there anything else?"

"Kahlan-"

"Please don't push me away anymore."

"I don't know what to say."

"The truth."

He began to walk away, but stopped himself, looking back at her. "You expect me to be honest with you, when you're not with me."

"I have never done anything else," she replied in confusion.

"Haven't you? You may not have lied to me, but you weren't honest either. Kahlan, you learned Brenda was behind your attack and you took her out here instead of telling me. Had I not felt your magic, I am sure I wouldn't have learned the truth until Cara came for the rest of the council members. You want me to be honest with you about something I don't understand when you won't be honest with me about something that affects not only us, but our unborn child."

Her face hardened and he watched her every emotion cross her eyes. "If that is how you see this, it must be the way it is. Forgive me, Lord Rahl." When she saw the hurt climb onto his features, she turned and walked away, leaving him as quickly as he'd arrived.

She wanted to tell him that he was wrong, but she couldn't. She felt betrayed that he had thought such things, but now was not the time to argue. She wondered how long it would take for him to learn the truth, to learn that she had sent one of his Mord'Sith to find him before they entered the woods. She wondered if he would even care. This wasn't the first time she had asked him to open up to her and every time she did, he turned it around on her, slowly breaking her down to believe it was she, who was at fault. It would be hours before she saw him again, maybe even days if it was like before and if she let her mind focus on it, there would be nothing left of her.

******

As she suspected she didn't see him for what was left of the day and when the sun fell to its hiding place, he returned to her bedroom. He walked in to find her lying in her bed, facing away as she clutched his pillow to her chest. What pained him more than he imagined was the fact that she wasn't wearing one of his shirts. The light pink silk that covered her shoulder and arms almost angered him that he could dislike something so simple, so much. He wondered if he should apologize before coming closer, if he should wake her and beg for her forgiveness. Though he knew he didn't deserve it, he had never needed anything more.

The past few days had been a horror he never imagined and it came at a time that should be the happiest. He found it difficult to breathe at times, learning that only the thought of her or the feel of her in his arms could keep him sane. She carried his child and he should be overjoyed, but he couldn't get his mind to quiet the ache. He longed to tell her the truth, to tell her why he had lost his way, but he feared the look in her eyes when he did. It wouldn't change the way she felt about him, of that he was certain, but a part of him wished that it would. If she retreated, maybe then, she and their child, would be safe.

Stepping forward, he walked around the bed and slowly eased down onto the soft blankets, his head turned to the right to keep her in his view.

"I know I should apologize, but I'm afraid the words have grown tired to you. Sydney found me as I returned to the palace. She had been looking for me since you told her what you learned about Brenda. I should have known, Kahlan. I should have trusted that you would tell me. I stood there, looking into your eyes and even though I couldn't see it, I was afraid you kept it a secret because it was you who didn't trust me. I was a fool and I am sorry. You've always trusted me, came near me when the fury burned so hot I couldn't see anything else. That- The thing I've been keeping from you, the horrid truth that has been haunting me for days... Kahlan, it's not just my anger you should be afraid of. It's me."

Her eyes opened and met his, confused and yet filled with adoration. "Something's happening to me and I don't understand. One minute I was screaming at the trees and the next... Sometimes I can't control it and all I can do is imagine your face, but it only holds it back for a short while. I almost lost control the other day and I know you saw it, you just didn't know what it was." His eyes closed and he turned his head away, his jaw clenching in pain as he fought back a groan.

Tossing the pillow aside, Kahlan moved closer, cupping his face in her hands. "Richard, look at me."

He tried to push her away, but he could barely move his body the way he wanted. "You have to get away from me."

His arm began to glow and suddenly it all became clear. Crawling onto him, she pushed her forehead against his and softly whispered his name, knowing it would gain his full attention and when she had it, she connected their lips.

"Focus on me, Richard. I'm right here." As his groan turned into a cry, she pushed harder against him, moving his hands so that they were touching her no matter how hard he protested. "Cara!" she called for their friend who was always close enough to hear a cry for help. When the blonde appeared, Kahlan was struggling with the man beneath her. "Get the Rada'Han out of the desk! Hurry!"

Before she had time to think, the Mord'Sith had grabbed the cold metal and rushed it to the bed, locking it around the Seeker's neck.

Kahlan nearly fell to the floor as he shoved her body from his. "How could you do that? I could have killed you!"

She met his gaze, her eyes as calm and loving as they've ever been. "The one thing I know you will always do is protect me, even if it's from yourself."

Tearing his eyes away from the depths of hers, he looked to the confused woman standing close to his side. "Thank you, Cara."

"What's going on?"

"My magic's back."

Rolling her eyes, the Mord'Sith crossed her arms. "I saw that."

"What else do you need me to explain?" he barked.

"How it happened?" They both looked to Kahlan as she watched him carefully. "When it began to happen and why it's happening... Those answers will due for now."

"I don't have an answer to them all."

"Answer what you can."

"The headaches started just after Darken Rahl arrived." He kept waiting for her to retract, to move away and ask him to leave but she didn't. "But I first used some kind of magic a couple of days ago, after I left my sword with Zedd."

"Does he know?"

Shaking his head, Richard moved off of the bed, trying to put distance between her and her forgiving eyes. "No. I knew if he found out, I would be taken away from you." He came to a stop before the wash station and looked out of the window. "When I realized I may hurt you, I tried to stay away and then after being with you without an incident, I thought I was fine."

"That's why you kept leaving in the middle of the night..." the Confessor added more to answer one of her own questions.

Looking over to her, he wished it hadn't come to this. "You knew I left?"

"The room is much colder when I'm alone."

"I'm sorry, Kahlan."

Bringing he eyes to the blonde, Kahlan sighed. "Would you mind bringing Zedd-"

"No," Richard said quickly. "Not tonight. I need to be with you tonight. I owe you more than an explanation."