Chapter 6

"That should be for the Mother Confessor to decide." Richard growled. He was quickly becoming angry at the new Minister of Justice.

Philip Simpson, the man on the receiving end of Richard's ire, held up his hands trying to diffuse the Seeker's anger. "She would be upholding an ancient tradition, one that goes back thousands of years."

Governor Nolan backed Richard just as vehemently, "A tradition that hasn't been invoked in more than a hundred years!"

The Minister's face turned crimson, "Only because it wasn't needed until now! Most Mother Confessors either already had their mate or were beyond childbearing years. It's been over a hundred years since we've had a Mother Confessor so young."

Kahlan looked at each of the men's faces. She wanted to diffuse the argument before it grew any louder. "Certainly I have something to say in this matter?"

"With all due respect, Mother Confessor, there isn't much to say." The Minister looked squarely into Kahlan's eyes. "You have no mate have you? The prisoner has requested the treaty. It must be considered."

His words cut Kahlan's heart in two. She had no mate; that was true. But she did have a love. A love that could never be. She swallowed hard, trying to find a voice through all she felt at that moment.

Richard and Kahlan had been drinking their cider, enjoying conversation with Governor Nolan, when the new Minister of Justice joined their party to inform Kahlan that the prisoner had requested the Liberation Treaty.

The Minister had answered Richard's questioning look: "It's an ancient treaty that can only be invoked by the Mother Confessor. It's offered to doomed men wishing to barter for their freedom. Rather than be put to death or living the rest of their life in a dank dungeon…the man willingly offers himself to be confessed."

Richard was dumbfounded. "But he'd be enslaved."

"Enslaved to the Mother Confessor, but free. It's a desperate measure. Some prefer death. But for others, they'd rather be all consumed with love than live the rest of their days in a prison cell. It's offered in exchange for being the chosen mate of the Mother Confessor. It's rarely used since she must be in need of a mate for it to even be considered."

The blood drained to Richard's feet. He felt his head swim. He looked to Kahlan for her denial but she gave him none. In fact, her eyes told him it was all too real. His words came in a tight whisper, "You can't go along with this."

Before she could answer the Minister pressed her, "Would you confess another man simply to fulfill the role of mate? Prince Edan is a strong, young man with much wealth. All that he owns would go directly into the city treasury. The people will demand you accept. You are the very last of your line."

Richard's anger could no longer be contained, "That doesn't mean she – "

"He's right." Kahlan's flat voice quieted the men.

They all looked at her.

She maintained her emotionless Confessor's face as she addressed Minister Simpson. "I understand the people will want me to take a mate. I will consider the request."

Richard's look was explosive. He couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Kahlan tried to calm him with a hand to his arm, "Richard, as Mother Confessor I must reflect on the matter. I can't completely disregard my obligations merely because I don't like the options."

Richard's eyes cut through hers, trying to see through the mask she maintained. He didn't trust himself to speak. He trembled, trying to contain the anger roiling within him. He couldn't understand why she would even consider this. Rather than say something he would regret, he pulled free his arm and walked off.

##

Kahlan found him on the grounds surrounding the Confessor's Palace. He was always more comfortable being among the trees. Even in her despair, she couldn't help but smile at that thought as she walked up close behind him. He must have heard her but he didn't take his gaze from the moon. It was shining brightly, casting a silver glow through the trees.

She didn't know what to say. He must know she was there. When he continued to look at the sky she finally broke the silence with her whisper, "Richard."

He didn't turn when he spoke. "It's hard to believe that's the same moon I watched so many nights from Hartland…you would have seen it too, from here." Lost in deep thought he continued staring at the moon. Finally, he turned to her, looking as if he was putting aside dark thoughts. He took her hands up in his. "I'll find Zedd and Cara and search for the Stone of Tears. When it's over, I'll come back for you…just like we originally planned."

Already Kahlan could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. "No, Richard. You can't come back for me. It's too dangerous for you."

Richard slowly shook his head, not wanting to hear, not wanting to believe, what she was saying.

The time was now. Kahlan had to make him understand. She held tight to his hands. "When you came to my room tonight...I saw the look in your eyes." Kahlan's insides melted with the memory. "And I was happy for it. I wanted to hold you so badly. I wanted you to hold me." She had to pause before she could go on, her gaze fell to the ground. "I wanted you to kiss me." Desperate, she looked back up into his eyes, "I wanted you to kiss me and never stop."

Richard urgently pulled her to him, slipping his hands into her hair, "I want that now Kahlan." He leaned in to kiss her but she pushed him back.

"Richard, no. See how dangerous it is for us? We can't... Please. You can't come back."

He held her at arms length, his hands on her shoulders. "I told you I won't let anything happen to you, Kahlan. I can't protect you if I'm not here."

"And I can't protect you if you are. Cara will protect you now."

His hands gripped her tightly. "It's not protection I want Kahlan. I need you with me."

Kahlan didn't know anything anymore. Only that she had to send away the man she loved. She knew it was too dangerous for him to be near her, yet she didn't know if she trusted Cara enough to keep him safe. Richard loosened his grip when he saw he was hurting her.

Tears fell from Kahlan's eyes as she slipped her fingers into the opening of his shirt, gently touching the mark of the Keeper. "I'm frightened for you."

Richard shuddered with the feel of her fingers on his skin. He could restrain himself no longer. He suddenly pulled her close, covering her mouth in a passionate kiss. His hands deep in her hair, held her to him. Through Kahlan's broken sobs, he covered her face with hot kisses.

Kahlan breathlessly pulled herself from his embrace.

"Richard, we can't do this. You have to leave." Her sobs came fully now. "I'm the last of the Confessor's. I have to continue the line – I can't do that if you're here."

Richard stiffened. "That's what this is about? Edan? You're going to take him as your mate?"

"This is about you, Richard. Keeping you safe."

Emotions had drained them both. They stood silent in the moonlight, trying to find some solution to the agony, knowing there was none but the one before them.

Kahlan was the first to finally speak. "Richard, what the Minister said is true. The people will expect me to accept the treaty."

He stood rock still. "No, Kahlan."

Kahlan tried to find words to make him understand. Tears spilled from her eyes as she searched his face. She saw she was breaking his heart. "There's no other way. You must go Richard."

Her own heart breaking, she rushed from the stand of trees toward the lights of the palace.

xxx