Richard awoke that morning with a feeling of extreme guilt. The woman cradled in his arms had dark bruising around her wrists - because of him. Although he was kind and gentle with her when they made love, making sure to pleasure her all the ways he could, he still knew he was in the wrong. He should have never gripped her wrists so tightly, he could have easily made the point without such harsh contact. He sighed as he wiped his hand over his face.

"I'm sorry." Kahlan murmured into his skin, slightly stirring. Richard was surprised at the statement - she had nothing to be sorry for.

"I believe it is I who should be saying that to you." He placed a kiss on the top of her head, his eyes never leaving her bruised skin. She shook her head against his chest, her hair slightly tickling him.

"It's my fault." Richard couldn't believe the words he was hearing. This wasn't her fault, this could never be her fault. In fact, she should be leaving him this instant, storming out of the room and commanding he leave Aydindril. He deserved it.

"There is no way that this is your fault, Kahlan." He lifted her small hand in his, clenching his eyes shut. "I should have never done this to you." She shook her head again.

"I was wrong to say what I did. I was scared." Richard's body stiffened. It didn't alarm him that she was scared of him, it would alarm him if she wasn't. Still, it hurt to hear it.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." She shook her head against his chest yet again, her hand gripping onto his pendent.

"I wasn't scared of you."

"Then what were you scared of?"

"Myself." Her words were barely above a whisper. "More precisely, my feelings." Her grip on his pendent became tighter and her body tensed under his touch.

"What .. what do you mean?" He was scared to ask the question, unsure of what the answer could be.

"I should have never questioned your love for me."

"I deserved it for the way I was acting."

Kahlan propped herself up on her elbow, directing Richard's gaze to her. "No. I compared you to Darken Rahl and that was unacceptable. I cursed you for trying to protect me. It was all in a vain attempt to try and convince myself that you didn't love me, try to force you to admit that your feelings were false or withered." Richard shook his head, shocked at the confession.

"Kahlan, why would you want to do that?" His eyes searched hers, his brows furrowing as his muscles tensed. She looked away from him and shut her eyes.

"Because it would be easier not to love you if you didn't love me back." Richard's heart soared, but quickly dropped to his stomach. This woman was trying to convince herself that he didn't love her, and he bruised her. If anything, that should confirm what she wanted to be true.

But it wasn't true. Richard loved her with everything he had. He'd do anything to take back what he did.

Kahlan looked back at him with uncertainty, awaiting his response. "Is that not what you wish to hear? If your feelings have actually disappeared because of what I said last night, I understand." She moved the covers around her as she tried to slide out of the bed, but Richard quickly wrapped an arm around her stomach and brought her close to him. He kissed her forehead.

"I've wanted to hear those words for so long, but I don't deserve your love." He spoke it softly against her skin, expecting her to nod and walk out of the room, forever leaving his life. Instead, she shook her head and brought his face to hers.

"What happened happened, we can't change it nor can we dwell on it. Had our actions been different, this conversation might not be taking place. I do not want you to feel grief when I tell you that I love you, Richard. These bruises are just a symbol of a man trying to convince a stubborn woman that he loves her and wants to protect her, not out of malice." She kissed him lightly on the lips and moved her head away, gathering his large hand in hers and resting it on her naked stomach. "I am the first Confessor to have a child from a man she loves, and for that I am eternally grateful." Richard smiled despite himself and leaned down to kiss her, mumbling his apologies every time he could.

Richard rested his hands on her wrists, covering the bruises. He wanted them to be gone, to be erased from ever happening, to be removed from her porcelain flesh. He felt a warm tingling sensation, and when he pulled his hands away, the bruises were gone. Richard smiled when she beamed up at him, satisfaction crossing her features.

"I knew forcing you to learn more about your magic would be beneficial." Richard chuckled at her statement.

"I think my magic works on a trigger, much like your Con Dar." He rubbed his nose against hers. "It only responds when I want to heal you." She giggled as she pressed her lips against his, tugging on his pendent.

"Will you say it again?" Richard was unbelievably giddy, the excitement shining through his voice.

"Say-" Kahlan laughed as she pressed a hand to her forehead. "I love you, Richard Cypher." He grinned and nodded, asking her to repeat it again.

"I love you, Richard." He kissed her and she repeated it in every breath until he silenced her with a deeper kiss.