She hadn't spoken very much since the wizard healed her hand, but after everything she had gone through, Richard didn't think it would be best to push. He wanted to hear her voice, even if it was her yelling at him. It was, in his mind, his fault she had been captured and when she had screamed that he wasn't there, he almost felt better knowing a part of her blamed him, too. He sat beside her in silence as she waved her hand before her face, testing herself constantly as she awaited the return of her sight. She faced away from him, lying on her side in attempt to shield her actions and he knew why. She didn't want him to see her the way she felt, weak and desperate, but there were no words he could use to convince her that she wasn't either of those things.

She grew frustrated after a few minutes and dropped her hand beside her face, releasing a set of tears she had held back. Tears had become almost constant, her small way of being able to let go without further screaming and when she believed he was asleep, she held nothing back. Sleep was almost impossible for her, her dreams being there to replay every moment of torment until she woke in a sweat and soft cry. He had been there each time, wrapping her in his arms to assure her that she was safe, but no matter how many times he said it, she couldn't stop the nightmares.

Her body felt stronger, making her want to escape the carriage, but he wouldn't allow it. She hated being in the same spot at all times, but she refused to tell him that it only reminded her of her prison. She wondered who was with them, how many of her men had gone and survived, wishing she was able to thank them. After everything she had gone through, she was more comforted by the loud noises they made at night, constantly reminding her that they were there with the pop of their fires and laughter that was far from the ones her captors had held. They would look in on her when Richard went hunting, giving her a short while to think. She found herself smiling as she heard their quiet knock and then the opening of the small door. Her mind could picture their actions, the way they would poke their head in, concerned at her silence.

After a few days, when the Seeker returned with a buck, he was surprised to see Kahlan sitting with a group of her men around their fire, listening with a smile as they talked about their adventures. He froze at the sight, remaining by the trees as he watched. It was a pleasant vision, one he wished to see more of.

"The Seeker jumped through the bushes, taking down their scout before he knew the sky was falling!" The men laughed, almost cheering as they clapped their hands together. "I think you would have enjoyed the moment, Mother Confessor."

"I'm sure I would have," Kahlan replied with a grin.

"Tell her a better story," one man spoke through a chuckle. "I'm sorry, we have many stories of your Seeker."

They laughed again, the man beside her, laying his hand gently on her shoulder. "Would you like to hear the one of him capturing that woman?"

She froze for a moment, but the tension faded quickly as she realized she wanted to know what had happened. "If there's a story to tell," she replied through a small grin.

"She didn't stand a chance," he started in a dramatic voice, motioning with his hands for the rest of the men. "He caught her running through the trees, almost inside of Lord Hening's land. She put up a good fight, the Seeker had scratches all over his face and neck." The men laughed around her, a few growing louder than before. "He gave her many warnings, chances to tell him where you were, but she said nothing."

"Mad women are the strongest," another spoke through a soft chuckle. "She remained silent until he had her in your dungeon." The circle grew quiet and Kahlan knew something more was coming. "She screamed for hours... But she wouldn't tell him anything. He had to become more creative."

"We didn't know he had a side of him like that," the first man spoke again. "He would do anything to find you."

"But you followed him," Kahlan told them with a slight tilt of her head. "Why?"

A few of the men laughed at her question and suddenly there was a hand on her shoulder once more. "We are not ignorant, Mother Confessor. We know how you feel about him. If he is worthy of what you've given, he has our loyalty. If he didn't with everyone of us before, he certainly does now. He will risk his life for not only you alone, he saved Phillip at least a dozen times on the way here."

"You could have told me I was being stalked by a wolf," a young man said, leading Kahlan to assume it to be Phillip.

"You are going to learn to use your senses, we can't always tell you there's a wolf or snake, rabbit creeping out of the bushes."

Kahlan chuckled, turning her head toward the direction Phillip's voice had traveled from. "You'll be as quick as them in no time."

"Not if I die first," he said with a smile she couldn't see.

"Perhaps you should stand guard with some of them tonight," she suggested. "A short learning session."

"He can't sleep anyway," another man bursted through a laugh. "Not without his mother tucking him in!"

The group was filled with laughter once more and stopped suddenly as her back straightened. "Sometimes I wish my mother would tuck me in." She spoke quietly, Richard had to take a few steps forward to hear. "There are some comforts that are difficult to replace."

"Forgive me, Mother Confessor."

Smiling, she looked toward the man's voice. "There is nothing to forgive." She turned her head away, her smile growing wider. "Someone's burned dinner."

A few of the men jumped up in grumbles, rushing to the stew over the fire as it began to boil over the sides of the pot. She was left alone as the rest rushed to help with the buck Richard brought back, leaving him with the opportunity to sit beside her.

"You're smiling," he whispered with one of his own. "Are you feeling better?"

Nodding, Kahlan leaned against him, her shoulder pressed to his. "I couldn't stay in there another moment. I-" She stopped herself, remembering she hadn't told him how it felt to be cooped up. "I thought some fresh air would help my headache."

"Did it?"

"Along with the tea one of the men made. Where's Zedd?"

"Gathering herbs. he said your wounds will need a little more work before they heal completely."

"Oh."

"Are you angry with me?" he asked surprisingly. "For what I've done to Jessica?"

"No," she answered instantly. "But I'm not sure that's a good thing."

"Why?"

"You're not that person, Richard. You would never torture someone-"

"She knew where you were," he stated before she could finish. "She knew what was happening to you and she said nothing. I would have removed every limb from her body to find you. I nearly begun. I will not apologize for what I did-"

"I wasn't asking you to apologize," she interrupted seamlessly. "I wasn't questioning what you did. I never would, I trust you." He was quiet, watching her like she knew he was. "I didn't mean to make you feel like I was upset for what you did. I'm not, I'm grateful. That's why I said I wasn't sure it was a good thing." He said nothing as she pulled away, straightening her back as though she could see the other men glancing their way. "I shouldn't be happy that you had to hurt someone for me."

"That's not why you're happy," he told her quietly. "You're glad because I was looking for you."

She blinked out a set of tears as she shook her head and to his surprise, she didn't rush to wipe them away, afraid the others would see. "When he told me you had her, I- I was glad because I knew what you would do. Richard, I was- I wanted her to feel the pain I felt. What kind of person wishes another to be harmed?" The men stopped moving, each staring at her as she stared ahead, seeing darkness instead of their faces. "She was part of my city, my people and I hung there and imagined her in my place. I'm not upset that you- I should be saddened, but I'm not."

"You should not be feeling the way you do, Mother Confessor." The men around him nodded, but only Richard could see. "She may have been born in your land, but she is not one of your people. She is our enemy and everyone in your land would have done what your Seeker did. She is not worthy of your heart."

"He's right," Richard said when the other man finished. "Your people would never betray you the way she did."

"It wasn't a betrayal to want the man she loved back."

"She could have waited," the other man spoke again. "I am sorry to interrupt, Mother Confessor, but she had many other options. She could have asked for you to release him to her. She is not the first woman to have someone she cared about taken into the home of a Confessor, but she chose to see it as an act of war and deserved to be treated as- She should have been honored her husband had been chosen, you did not select him at random."

"What's your name?" Kahlan asked when it became quiet around them once more.

"Dean, Ma'am."

"Thank you, Dean." The man beamed at her words, proud to have brought a smile to the Mother Confessor's face.

"You've burned dinner!" Zedd exclaimed as he stepped into their campsite. "Who left the blind Confessor in charge?"

Kahlan laughed, turning her head toward the wizard. "I'm sorry, I know how important your dinner is to you."

Coming to her side, he laid his hand on her shoulder. "How are you feeling, dear one?"

"Better than before," she told him honestly.

"I found some herbs that may take away the rest of your pain."

With a frown, she tilted her head up toward him. "I think I've grown attached to it."

"Not for long." Dropping a pouch into his grandson's lap, he smiled down at him while motioning to the carriage with his head. "You should tend to the wounds before the moon comes to a rest in the sky."

Taking her hand, Richard squeezed it gently. "Come with me."

Holding her head toward the older man, Kahlan grinned. "Don't eat all of the food."

"I wouldn't dream of it."

She stood slowly, keeping her hand in the Seeker's. They watched her as the couple began to move away, she felt their eyes on her. With a quick turn of her head over her shoulder, she held back a laugh. "Whoever saves us some food shall be handsomely rewarded."

"Don't worry," Dean replied through a chuckle. "We'll tie down the wizard if we have to."

"What did he give you?" Kahlan asked as Richard helped her get settled inside.

"I'm not sure yet. How- Are you comfortable?"

"I think so."

He opened the pouch louder than usual, letting her know exactly what was going on. "He's mixed a few things into a... Thick paste. It looks like clay, only green."

"Smells terrible," she whispered, pushing the back of her right hand against her nose. "Maybe we shouldn't-"

"It's not that bad," he laughed. "It smells like-"

"A dead squirrel," she said quickly.

"I was going to say that it smelt like Zedd's shoes." They shared a moment of laughter before he began lifting the bottom of her dress. "I'll put a small amount of your leg, maybe it's not as bad as we think." She shifted slightly as he revealed her thigh, a cool breeze seeming to flow by. The paste was warmer than she thought, leaving her to conclude that he had rubbed it in his hands before letting it touch her. "How does it feel?"

Kahlan smiled, leaning her head back against the wall the carriage. Her eyes were closed, and the way her lips parted, he would swear that she liked it. "It feels nice," she said through a whisper. "Almost numb."

"And before?" he questioned quietly.

She smiled surprisingly, her eyes opening almost as though, for a moment, she expected to see his face. "There were moments when I wasn't sure how much more I could take. Sometimes I feel like it's building up within me, waiting for me to break. This, it tingles away the pain."

"Are you ready for your shoulder?"

"I don't know," she whispered to him with a small smile. "After it began to swell, he... I think he took pity on me. He wasn't as rough as before and... I'm sorry, I shouldn't bring it up."

"It's alright," he told her quietly easing his hand over her shoulder to remove a portion of her dress. "It seems to help when you talk about it."

"I shouldn't," she whispered. "I'm so afraid that I'm going to hurt you."

"You won't hurt me for what happened between the two of you, but I would like to know what happened, how he made you feel."

"Richard-"

"I know that it's painful for you and it angers me more than anything, but it will make you feel better."

"He came to me, the day before you arrived, I think it upset him, I couldn't move as he laid above me. He... Grew frustrated so many times I can't believe he didn't lose control and kill me. He kissed the scar you had given me with Denna's agiel, the one you liked to... He hated when I whispered your name and I- I don't know why, but he liked it when he was angry."

"He hurt you every time you said it, didn't you?"

"He laughed," she told him as he brought a handful of the past to her left shoulder. "That's when things would turn. He'd roll over me, his chest pressed firmly against my back to keep me from moving... I had never experienced anything like that before. He held himself close to me, his hands encircling me completely making sure there was no escape. The same position you and I had shared when we were together. It was different, everything about it, from his touch, his tongue... I couldn't move and when I was with you, I didn't feel trapped, but with him..."

"Do they feel any better?"

"Yes," she whispered. She suddenly found herself fighting sleep, her body struggling to remain sitting up. "I- I think I'm going to, I seem to... He must have added something to give me more sleep." He caught her as she leaned forward, half asleep as he helped her lay down. "Stay with me for a..."

He smiled and settled down beside her, wrapping his arms around her. She turned against him, snuggling closer as she had done so many nights, long before she had been taken. For a moment he almost felt like nothing had changed, but instead of her arm encircling his, she held it between them, holding the small distance. He knew why she was afraid to get close, but he hoped that soon he would be able to prove his continued love for her.

The rumble of thunder woke her with a jump, but she didn't pull out of his arms. Her first instinct was to look around, but when her eyes opened, there was still, only darkness. She wondered how long she had been asleep, but the sound of the men outside, talking and laughing, she knew it hadn't been as long as she thought.

Tightening his arms around her, he nudged his nose against her neck. "Are you alright?"

"Yes, it- The thunder startled me."

"Don't worry," he whispered beside her ear with a smile. "I don't think it can get to you in here."

Inching closer, Kahlan snaked her fingers into his hair and grinned. "Not while you're here."

"You're shaking."

Inching back, she rolled onto her back and turned her head toward him. "I think it scared me more than I realized."

"Would you like some tea?"

Shaking her head, she closed her eyes, though it made no difference to her sight. "No, it's alright, thank you."

"Are you hungry?"

"No, I'm alright."

"It was nice to see you out there tonight," he said quietly. "They seemed to have been enjoying your company."

"I needed the air and they were kind enough to allow me to join them." She smiled, turning her head toward him. "They had many stories about your time as their leader."

"I'm sure I made a fool-"

"They like you," she told him quickly. "You more than earned their trust and respect. They will follow your every order."

He frowned, even as her hand came to his cheek. "I lead most of them to their deaths."

"It was war," she responded quietly. "They followed you on their own, none of them blame you for the loss of a brother."

"I blame myself."

She turned into him, her hand moving over his shoulder to bring him closer. "What about now?" she asked as her face inched forward. She was moving off of the feel of his breath, using it to help guide her to his mouth. "Do you blame yourself now?"

"Kahlan-" he whispered as her lips brushed his.

"You went to rescue me and here I am..." Kissing him again, she pushed her chest into his. "Right here..."

"Kahlan-"

He was cut off my her lips, her kiss taking charge as he snaked his hands into her hair and brought her to him. His tongue was warm and his kiss was breathtaking. He nudged a knee between her legs and pressed his thigh to her. A small hitch took up residence in her chest and he smiled against her lips. He liked the thought of taking her breath with a single action, pleased to know that he could after what she had been through. She was pulling at his shirt within seconds, her hand snaking beneath the cloth for a feel of his skin. He took his time with her, moving his hands over her sides, he pushed forward, needing to be closer.

She welcomed him to her, pulling him until he was nearly on top of her. After a brief moment, she pushed him back and yanked at his shirt, relieving the fear that built when she shoved him back. Finding his hand, she brought it to the many buttons on her nightgown and encouraged him to work, hoping he would allow her to feel his chest against hers once more.

"Are you sure?" he questioned as his nose touched hers.

She nodded, releasing his hands and bringing hers to rest beside her head. He watched her face as he unbuttoned her nightgown. She was calm other than the vein pulsing in her neck, but it was steady with his, making him more comfortable to continue. His heart began to pound as more of her became exposed and he realized how long it had been since he had seen her naked like this.

She had laid naked in his arms, but his mind had remained on keeping her safe, protecting her and when he had tended to her wounds, he never brought his eyes to anything else. She remained still as he pushed open the cloth, letting him view her as though it would change his mind. Snaking his hand over her stomach, he smiled as she lifted to his touch.

Richard was suddenly licking a wet line from between her breasts down to her belly button. He dipped his tongue in the shallow divot and made her tremble with the suddenness of a hot flash that quickly shifted to a chill. Her entire body was thrown off balance thanks to him and it was utter bliss. She felt his desire against her leg, but he continued on, ignoring himself as he focused on her. Pulling at his hair, she whispered his name, the last of it fading away as he kissed his way back up her chest. When their lips reconnected, she reached between them and began unlacing his pants.

Her body weakened at the sound that escaped his lips as she took him in her hand, his head dropping to her neck. He nearly collapsed onto her, struggling to continue as their lips moved together. She pulled him to her, her body welcoming him as he entered slowly. He pushed forward with a gentle kind of urgency that made her stomach dip in anticipation. He brought his big hands to her legs and pushed them apart enough so that he could watch himself slide into her willing body.

It was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. She chewed her lip and when he glanced up to her and smiled, seated fully then, she, too, smiled.

"Kiss me, please," she said, breathlessly.

"You don't have to say please." He laughed and spread himself over her, his elbows the only thing keeping his big body from crushing hers and Instead of feeling trapped, she felt completely safe.

His body remained still as they kissed, letting the action between them sink in as he filled her completely. She didn't roll forward as he thought she would have, like she had done before when their clothes were still on. Kahlan slid her nails down the sides of his arms, breaking their kiss as she pushed her head back into her pillow with a louder than intended moan of his name. The way he felt within her had been something she had held onto since she was captured, but now she found it impossible to believe anyone else could have taken her. He fit perfectly, as though no one else could and there was no pain, nothing that suggested that it was wrong and his body trembled exquisitely with hers.

His head jerked up from her neck at her soft whimper, the first and only sign of her tears. "Spirits, Kahlan, I'm-"

"No," she said heatedly, her eyes opening and finding his as though she could see him. "Please don't go."

Wiping the thumb of his left hand beside her eye, he removed the tears. "You're crying."

Shaking her head, she smiled and pulled his chest closer to hers. "No, I'm... I'm sorry, I'm not-" A long, drawn-out moan left her lips and her hold on him tightened, her face, at last, revealing the pleasure she felt.

Snaking his right hand down her side, he found her leg and slowly lifted, bending her knee to allow him to come just a little bit closer. He kissed her jaw, his tongue slowly tasting the light glaze of sweat that collected on her neck. Moving slowly, he continued on, his hips lifting just slightly to add to her bliss. He was sure his mind should be spinning, telling him how it had been with the other man, but the only thought he could focus on was that this could only come from them, neither could experience anything more than the other.

His head was on her chest when she woke up, the familiar scrape of his beard comforting her. There was something all over her body, making her smile as she realized what it was. It had begun rubbing against his shoulder and leg but, as they continued, it spread like a wild fire. The clay had dried sometime during their activities, clumping on both of them in the oddest places. She could feel it beneath her chin, a place his forehead had rested against while he kissed around the Rada'Han that graced her neck. Whatever the ingredient was the wizard had put in there for sleeping had taken its effect on them both, collapsing once they had finished.

She could feel his slow and steady breath on her chest, warming the goosebumps that arrived as his hand pulled himself closer. He was nearly on top of her, his weight leaning against her left side, perfectly avoiding her wounds. Their legs were tangled together, leaving her to question which were her own as she shifted her body beneath him. She almost laughed as she felt the paste pull on her side, wondering how and when it arrived there. His breathing quickened at her movement, freezing her instantly in the hope that she had not waken him.

She took a moment to strain her eyes once more, wishing that she would see something, anything. It was tiring, living in darkness and though her other senses seemed to have heightened, she missed the sight of his face. Her mind raced back to their previous actions and Kahlan quickly found herself wanting. It wasn't just the feel of him that was different, everything about it was. Richard could hold back long enough to push her over but, also explode within a breath. He could finish and still be hungry for more, his body continually ready for hers, unlike her captor, who could only do so much.

Richard had spent a good portion of their time teasing her. She grinned at the memory, the soft scrape of his beard against her stomach and inner thighs, his mouth moving everywhere, except for where she thought she wanted him. He smiled against her skin as she pulled at his hair, his name leaving her lips on a constant roll until he covered them with his own.

Running her tongue over her lips, she grinned. The warmth of his own still lingered and she found the feeling to be as comforting as him in her arms.

"Are you alright?" Richard asked as his head popped up from her chest. "Your heart is racing."

"I'm fine," she blushed. "I was just... Reliving the last few hours."

"Do you want help?" he teased with a wide grin. "I think I may be able to provide a better assistance than your memory."

Lifting an eyebrow, Kahlan cocked her head seductively. "I don't know, I remember it quiet well."

"I'm sure I can make it come to life."

"You may-"

"Richard? Kahlan? Are you two coming out for breakfast? You missed dinner and-"

"We fell asleep" Richard said over his shoulder as the older man opened the small door and peered inside.

"How did the mixture work?" the wizard asked curiously, oblivious to their previous actions.

Kahlan's head turned in embarrassment, a smile clinging to her lips. "It worked well, thank you. I must have fallen asleep after a few minutes."

"Your body will heal faster in sleep," he explained while his eyes took in the sight of them before him. They were laying close and though she was covered well, he couldn't help but wonder what had gone on between them. "Are you two alright?"

"Fine," Richard said quickly, but Kahlan shook her head.

She could hear something in his voice, something that told her he was concerned and she knew how he would react if he knew what they had done. "It's been harder for me than we'd like," she replied softly, letting her emotions fill her voice. "I don't know how much more of this I can take." Richard's eyes were locked on her face, almost forgetting his grandfather was near. He knew she had been keeping something from him, but as she spoke, he realized that he didn't truly understand just how much it was. "Richard's been trying to get me to get up but, I... It's dark no matter where I go."

"Give it time, dear one. Your sight may yet return."

Nodding, she forced a smile, wishing once again, that she could see. "We'll join you for breakfast in a few minutes." Zedd left quietly, but she knew the instant he was gone, because Richard pushed against her. "We should join them for breakfast."

"Are you hungry?"

She was grateful for his words, relieved he hadn't mentioned hers but, she was sure it would come later. Turning her face to him, she grinned. "Not for food." A low growl left his lips just before they connected with hers in a passionate kiss, one she let continue for only a moment. "He's going to come back."

"We should clean you up first," he chuckled, scratching the fingernail of his left hand over the paste, beneath her chin.

"Leave it," she whispered. "I like the way it feels."

"Are you sure?"

Nodding, she ran her hand up his arm to his face, gently cupping his cheek. "I'm sure."

"Do you want me to find you something else to wear?"

"Did you bring a Confe-"

"It may be wrinkled," he told her softly. "I stuffed one into my pack before I left Aydindril."

Lowering her hand back to the bed beneath them, she smiled. "I don't think I'll notice."

Nudging his nose against her jaw, he choked back a laugh. "The men may notice, they might even mock you-"

"What would you like me to wear?"

"If we stayed in here, you wouldn't have to wear anything."

"I have all night to wear nothing. I can lay here, naked..."

"We could start now, I could keep you warm."

"And when he returns?"

"You'll pretend to be sleep and I will greet him with a smile."

She laughed, shoving her hand against his shoulder, briefly surprised she had hit her target. "Will you help me get dressed?"