"I feel like we should tell someone," Richard whispered into her ear.

"Who?"

Pulling back, he rolled off of her and settled at her side, his right arm draping over her stomach. "Anyone."

Laying her arm around his, she grinned. "You can tell Cara."

"She wouldn't count. She already knows." Pushing her lips together, she darted her eyes to the sky. "It's hard to keep something from someone who was keeping watch when we-"

"Why do you want to tell someone?"

"It's what people do, Kahlan," he replied through a soft laugh. "I want everyone to know you're mine."

"Yours?" she questioned with a raised eyebrow.

Bringing his face closer to hers, he pushed his nose into her cheek with a grin. "Mine." His head moved back quickly and he met her eyes suspiciously. "There's not a man waiting for you, is there? When I fall asleep, you're not going to sneak of into the trees and lose yourself-"

"That depends on how soon you fall asleep. If I'm late again tonight, he may go in search of another lover and I'll have to do the same."

His fingers moved down her stomach, tap dancing just below her bellybutton, before inching lower to trace along the edge of her corset. Her eyes fell closed as she sucked in a breath, her body fighting the urge to cry out for more. "I would be honored to take his place."

"Richard- This has gone too far."

"Or not far enough." His mouth was so close to hers, his lips grazed hers with each word. It was a welcomed action, one they both wished could continue. "We could go out there right now, Kahlan."

"We both know that we can't."

"Yes we can. Kahlan, we can go right now, tear each others clothes off and-"

Her lips were against his instantly, silencing his plan the only way she knew how. She balled the front of his shirt in her hand, pulling him back on top of her. He responded quickly, pushing forward as he settled between her legs. Her chest pushed up against his, seeking more contact as his hands roamed over her. If they hadn't been covered by his blanket, she would have been embarrassed for someone, anyone to see where his hands were going.

Pushing him back slightly, Kahlan held his face in her hands, trying to stop her body from shaking beneath him. "If I was to change my mind..."

"About what?" he panted, his mind cloudy.

Rolling her body up against his, she pulled his face closer to hers and used the warmth of his breath to give her the courage to speak. "I want you."

Richard studied her face for a moment, trying to find his tongue as he stared into her eyes. She meant her words and he could see her fear of them. Rocking forward, he held her gaze, witnessing the cloud that glazed the blue of her eyes. Without a word, he lowered his lips back to hers while his left hand snaked down her side and began pulling up her dress. A moan escaped her lips and marched into his as his hand slid around her thigh, lifting her leg.

His mouth trailed over her jaw and down her neck, his tongue tasting the skin fully before sucking it in. Kahlan wound her fingers in his hair, passionately twisting and pulling as she pushed herself up against him. Her breath came in quiet gasps, her body remaining in control as the urges and instincts began to take effect. His hand returned up her side, dancing between them before taking hold of her breast, a rougher squeeze to be sure she felt it through the layers of clothes that kept her from him. The action pulled out a moaned gasped, one that urged him on before her hand came to hold his in place.

Reconnecting their lips, he rolled his hips, granting her a small portion of the pressure she desperately wanted. He found himself hating her clothes and without thought, he ripped the front, tearing the lacing from the cloth while the sound was drowned out by a untied gasp. He wasted no time moving on, pulling the strap of her corset until he found its weakness and it, too, ripped. His hand flew to her, now bare, breast, kneading gently as he pushed his tongue past her lips to join hers. She pulled at his shirt, lifting the bottom until it could go no farther without them breaking contact.

Pushing his hand back, she pulled him to her as she arched her back, her breast connecting with his chest. Her head fell back at the feeling at the warmth as a roaring flame ignited within her. She didn't know when he had freed the other breast, but as he leaned into her, she lost her control. Their bodies rocked together, her legs hooking over him as he moved lower, his mouth covering her chest and at last, her breasts. It was becoming hard to breathe, the urge to call out his name, lingering on the tip of her tongue.

His hands moved around his mouth, pushing and squeezing, adding every single pleasure possible as he continued to devour her. As he worked, the blanket that surrounded them began to fall, revealing more and more as each moment passed. His hands moved down, slipping beneath her dress and slowly caressing their way back up until his name filled the air in her gasp. His fingers teased her for a moment, giving her the chance to stop him if she wanted to. Without hesitation, she brought his mouth back to hers and rolled over him, rocking forward as he held her dress out of the way.

Pushing her hands between them, Kahlan began unlacing the strings of his pants. Her fingers moved swiftly, having them undone within a matter of moments before her hand slipped inside. She froze suddenly, not knowing what to do as her name left his lips. Shifting beneath her, he reach for her hand, grabbing her attention and forcing her to open her eyes.

"We don't have to do this, Kahlan. It's alright," he whispered into the night. He could see the fear in her eyes, darkening them past the point of her magic and he could swear that she, too, was so close to the edge any move scared her. "You can let go, Kahlan. It won't change anything, I promise."

"Richard..." It was a panted warning, but filled with need. Holding him in her hand seemed to push back the minds fear just enough to allow her to feel most of her desire. "I want you."

Swallowing back a portion of his own need, he nodded. "I'm yours, even if you don't want to do this. Kahlan, I don't know how much longer I can hold- Spirits!" Her hand tightened on him, pulling slightly as she leaned forward and grazed his lips with hers. He guided her slowly, unable to hold back if they moved any faster. "This will hurt you," he whispered as she held her forehead against his. "If you want to stop, tell me."

She could only nod, her mouth only wanting to connect with his and within an instant, it was. Richard turned his head, ending the kiss before reconnecting their eyes. He need to look at her as they united, if there was a moment in which she wanted him to stop, he needed to know. Holding her hips, he helped ease her down, his mind briefly passing the excitement of the possible marks her nails would leave as she pushed them into his shoulders. His eyes fell closed, his hands loosening their hold on her as she rocked forward instinctively. A sharp gasp of pain left her lips, bringing his eyes to snap open and meet hers.

She was looking down at him, a smile creeping onto her face as she allowed him to move her hips, her body circling his until it no longer caused as much pain.

"Spirits..."

"Are you alright?" he managed to whisperas his right hand came to her face and brushed some of her hair out of her eyes. He was dangling over the edge and he could see in her eyes that she knew, but he remained still, using all of his strength to hold back and allow her body to test him, to claim him.

Moving upon her encouragement, he wrapped his arms around her and sat forward, keeping them connected as their lips met and danced again. Her chest rubbed against his, igniting them both with each moment. Unable to hold back much longer, Richard reached between them, grazed his fingers over her, causing her to buck forward and break their kiss with a soft hiss.

"No..." she said breathlessly, holding herself against him. "Not me."

Entangling his fingers into her hair, he brought her mouth back to his for a brief kiss. "Do you want me to stop?"

With a hard buck forward, she shook her head, nearly ending him. "I want you..."

Realization hit him as she rolled her hips, slowly at first and ended it with a heavy rock. Holding her gaze, he nodded. "I'm yours."

The heat of his words nearly took her from her body, the meaning clearer than the vision of him before her. With another kiss, his hands moved down her back and over her bottom, hugging her to him until his body jerked and he fell into her. She held his head against her neck, her own thrown back with a moan as he filled her body with his seed, an experience she had never thought to be so erotic. Every part of her fought to keep him close, his strength fading as wave after wave flooded over him and for a moment, she wasn't sure it would end. She didn't want it to.

Burying his nose in the crook of her neck, he took in a deep breath and tried to store her scent to memory. Her hands moved over his back, gently massaging as she tried to find her own breath while fighting every instinct within her that told her to move until she was lost in him. Her breaths came in gasps that shifted her body in the right way, each time. She had to tighten her hold on him as her head fell back with a low and vibrated moan. His lips were softly caressing her neck, a gentle push for her to let go.

"No-" she panted as he rocked her forward. Grabbing his face, she pulled it from her shoulder and pushed her forehead against his. "I don't want to hurt you."

"You won't..." Their lips reconnected for a moment before she pulled back and for a heavy gasp. Closing her eyes, she tried to calm herself and push down the magic that tingled her fingertips. "Let it go."

"I can't lose you, Richard."

With a slow nod, he held her eyes and tightened his arms around her. Moving slowly, he lowered his back to the ground rolled them to their sides, fighting the growl that built in his throat as he slipped from her warmth. He held her firmly against him, preventing her from shoving away and freeing her mind to think of what they had done. Sharing her breath, Richard nudged his nose against hers, bringing a smile to her lips as she opened her eyes.

Grinning, Kahlan inched closer and hid her face in the crook of his neck. A small part of her was embarrassed for what they had done, but the rest of her wanted to pull him on top of her and never let him go. Her magic was still on the edge of her strength and yet he held her to him without fear.

Opening her eyes, Kahlan jumped forward and looked around. Cara and Zedd sat across from her, eating something that smelled so good, her mouth watered. Richard was sitting beside her, no more than a foot away, but she couldn't bring herself to look at him just yet. "How long was I asleep?"

He knew she was talking to him, he could almost hear his name in the softness of her voice. "A little over a day. Are you hungry?"

"No," she lied instantly.

"Kahlan... We have to get moving and I- You don't have to stay with us. I can't imagine that you'd want to, but-"

Turning her head, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. "Where do I go?"

"Anywhere you'd like."

"Do I have a home?"

"There was a place- Kahlan, I don't think you should go back there. They won't- We can't get the Rada'Han off and since you can't remember who you are, you... You can go anywhere; be anyone you want to be."

"Who's that?"

Shaking his head, Richard handed her his bowl of soup, still full and warm. "I don't know anymore. You should eat, it will make you feel better."

"Where do I go?"

"Anywhere you'd like. There are so many places out there, I'm sure there's somewhere you'll be happy."

Pulling on his shirt around her, she frowned. "Can I keep this?"

"Yes, but you have clothes. We'll make sure you'll be taken care of-"

"No," she whispered quietly, setting down the bowl. "I think I'll manage." She looked over to the others as she staggered to her feet and forced a smile. "Thank you for what you've done." They could only stare up at her in confusion as she stepped back; away from them.

When she turned, Richard was standing beside her, so close, she could smell the lemon tea on his breath. "You should put these on and I'll pack some things for you to take."

He was holding a pair of pants in his hands, black or a dark green, she couldn't tell, but she took them anyway. "Thank you."

He watched her walk quickly into the trees and waited. "Did you put the key in the bag?"

"I did," Zedd replied as he stepped to his grandson's side and handed him Kahlan's travel pack. "Are you sure this is the right thing to do?"

"She doesn't know who we are, Zedd. How can we demand she stay here with us? After everything she's been through, all of the things she's done, she deserves this." Releasing a soft sigh, he took the pack and began walking, knowing that she had probably already started to find her way. Rushing forward, he found her walking quickly, her long hair flowing freely behind her as she took another step. "Kahlan!"

She stopped instantly, almost ashamed for trying to run away from him. Forcing the frown from her face, she turned around and accepted the pack he handed her. "Richard, I- Thank you."

"It's just a few things-"

"Not for the pack, for what you did back there- You didn't have to do that for me."

"Yes, I did. Kahlan, you don't have to thank me, I would do anything for you."

Darting her eyes to the ground, she tried to push back the thoughts in her minds, the look in his eyes as he had asked her to release her magic and claim him. It was nearly impossible. They could not be her memories. "You're going to save the world?"

He smiled, crossing his arms across his chest. "I'm going to try."

"You'll do it."

"You sound certain."

"I am. If you were willing to kill yourself for me, I can't imagine what you wouldn't do to save the world."

Taking a step back, he lowered his voice to a whisper. "It's different with you. I would do anything for you. There's more clothes in the pack and enough food to last you a few days. There's a Journey Book in there too, if you need me- If you need anything, you can write it in there, we'll find you or we'll get you anything you need."

"Thank you. Richard," she added in a whisper, afraid of the words she was going to speak. "I'm sorry."

"Why?"

Lowering her eyes, she fought her own tears. "For being the person you have to send away."

"Kahlan, no- Spirits, I don't want to send you away, but how can I ask you to stay? You don't know me, you don't know us and I have no right to ask you to chose me and stay when... After everything you've been through, how can I ask you to trust me; to trust us? We're going to go into battle after battle and I can't put your life at risk."

"I should go."

"I don't want to send you away, Kahlan. I want you with me, selfishly because I need you. I want to be with you and as much as I- Im afraid that if I don't let you go, you'll never have a chance to live a life of your own. I'm afraid that I would suffocate you and that I would prevent you from being happy."

"I'm afraid."

Taking a step closer, he tilted his head and took hold of one of her hands, needing the contact. "I know and I wish I could take it away from you, but... Kahlan, if you want to stay, if you want to be with us, you can. I won't throw you into the trees if you want to stay. If you want-"

"Why do you keep saying it that way?"

Releasing her hand, Richard stepped back and licked his lips. "Because I'm afraid- If I asked you to stay with us, with me, I would be asking you to trust me and how could you? You don't really know me and if I asked you to stay and you said no, I don't think I could survive. So instead, I'm going to do what's right for you. You can go and find someone," he almost choked on the word, but he hoped she hadn't noticed, but she did. "You have a chance to be happy and as much as I wish it was with me, I can't hold you hostage. You deserve more than this. You deserve to be happy with someone."

Blinking out her tears, she nodded and turned her head, unable to look at him. "You know what they did to me. How can you think I can find anyone who- I should go. Thank you for food and clothes."

He stood in silence as she turned and began walking away. All he wanted to do was pull her into his arms and kiss her, telling her that he didn't care what those men had done to her because he was hers and she was his, but he couldn't. If he was honest with her, he would tell her that he was afraid that when she looked at him, the memory of what was done to her would be stronger and he couldn't bear to bring her any more pain. If he was her link to something so terrible, she deserved to be free of him.

The instant she was out of his line of sight, he took a step forward, swallowed his pain and whispered, "I love you, Kahlan." The words echoed around his ears while a part of him hoped it carried it to hers.

"It's not much farther, now," Zedd said cheerfully as he slapped his hand playfully on his grandson's shoulder. "Another few days and-" He stopped mid sentence as he looked down at the Seeker. "She hasn't written yet?"

"No." It was a quick answer, the only one he was able to give without having to speak his mind.

He thought that she would somehow remember who she was, what they had and write to him, demanding to know where they were and why he had sent her off in the first place, but months had passed and she never dotted a single page. He wondered what she was doing and where she was, if she had found a place that made her happy, or someone. Richard refused to let the thoughts linger in his mind, though, when they did, he could almost see her smile again.

"Perhaps you should start."

Shaking his head, the young man frowned up at the wizard. "We don't even know if she still has the book. She may have left everything somewhere and ran to leave all of this behind her."

"Maybe, but if you do not try..."

"I don't know what to say."

Letting out a soft chuckle, Zedd nodded. "I'm sure you will think of something. We'll set up camp here, it will give you a chance to put your thoughts to paper."

He stared at the blank pages for what seemed to be hours, unsure as to what to say. The moon grew brighter as he blinked the paper into focus again and again, desperately seeking the right words to write. What if she didn't want to hear from him? Maybe she had found everything she could ever want and was happy. Whatever he wrote could change it all for her. As exhaustion began to fill him, he pushed the quill to the paper and wrote, 'Hi'.

The word seemed harmless, a simple greeting that meant more to him than almost anything. She wouldn't know that, though, she didn't remember their time together or the way she had moved into his arms one night and awoke him with a special surprise.

It was the middle of the night when he awoke to the soft hand gliding across his bare chest. Opening his eyes, he turned to meet hers and was instantly rewarded with a smile. "Hi."

He chuckled softly, whispering his own, "Hi." Before he had a chance to blink away the sleep, she pulled his blanket up and over their heads, hiding them at the moment her lips hit his.

He responded swiftly, pulling her against him and instantly let out a heated moan. Her hair had hidden her before, but as their chests collided, he lost most of his control. She had removed her corset and opened her dress, making it possible for them to connect once again without having to rip the fabric.

Shaking the memory from his mind, he stared down at the word and waited. She didn't respond right away, making him sure that she did not have her memories back. The disappointment that flooded him was more than he had imagined it could be. He wished he hadn't let her go and if he'd only turn his head, she would be sitting there at his side, smiling the smile she gave him every time their eyes met. It had taken him weeks to be able to sleep through the night and he wondered if she had reached that point yet, if she found a place she felt safe enough to close her eyes and just be.

He had thought about writing her before, many times in truth, but he didn't know what to say. She wasn't the same person she used to be and he didn't know if a single word from him would send her out of whatever happiness or peace she may have found.

He jumped, knocking the book to the ground as something began to appear on the pages. His eyes focused on the familiar handwriting, an elegant flow that he admired as to letters came to say, 'Can't sleep?'

He responded instantly, 'No.'

'Me either.'

His heart was pounding, wishing he could see her, hold her and if he was lucky, hear her voice. 'The nights are getting colder, it's hard to sleep without wanting to roll into the fire.' He imagined the smile that would come to her face as she read his words, bringing him to continue to keep it there. 'The night is beautiful, though. The stars are exceptionally bright.'

'A small comfort,' she replied and he could almost hear her whisper.

'How are you?'

It took her a few moments to respond; he knew she was trying to decide if she would lie or not. 'I'm well. I've found a place, one hidden from almost everything.'

'Nightmares?'

'Every night.' He cringed at her words, though he was surprised she admitted it to him. 'What about you?'

'I used to, but Zedd has been giving me something in my tea, he thinks I don't notice, but in truth... I couldn't thank him enough for it. I don't like being away from you.' He waited a minute for her to respond, but she didn't. He didn't really expect her to. 'I'm sorry, Kahlan. I'm sorry for everything.'

'You shouldn't be,' she responded instantly, surprising him. 'You're the reason we're free.'

'That doesn't comfort me.'

'It comforts me. I've thought about it a lot, more than I would have ever liked to, but I am grateful for what you've done. I wouldn't be out here if you hadn't set me free.'

'I feel I've only placed you within a larger cell.'

'The food is better.' He laughed as the words appeared on the page, a welcome feeling of joy to replace the sorrow. 'Are you closer to saving the world?'

'Very. Another few days and we all will be safe once again.'

'Are we ever truly safe?'

'We can be.'

'I wish I could believe that.' Her words were written slowly, almost as though she was trying to change them before they were complete. 'You must be exhausted.'

'Aren't we all?'

'I wish you luck with the rest of your journey. May the spirits protect you.'

'Please don't go' he wrote urgently, praying she saw it before she closed the book for good. 'I know that I must be a terrible reminder of what was done to you and I am sorry for-'

'It's late; you should rest.'

'Will you talk to me again?' She didn't reply for a few moments and he knew she was having an inner battle. 'Please?'

'I don't know if we should.'

'Alright. I'll be here tomorrow night, same time. If you want to talk.'

He stared down at the page for another half hour, hoping that at one point she would agree to meet him again the next night, but she didn't. Hugging the Journey Book to his chest, he laid back on his bed roll and looked up at the sky. He used to lay beside her with a grin, pointing up at the stars like a child as he challenged her on their names. He loved the way she talked about the stars and the stories she would tell him about teaching them to her sister when they couldn't go home to their father. There was one, the brightest one of them all, that didn't have a name, her favorite set that he always found her looking at. His eyes found them instantly, bringing a smile to his lips as he brought his mind to a standstill. He would fall asleep soon and as long as his last thoughts were of her, he was happy.