"Is it true she's blind?"

Richard nodded, leading Cara down a hallway alone. "After what they did to her, she's lucky to have only lost her sight."

"Is your wizard not able to heal her?"

"No. He can't isolate the problem. It must be hard on her," he added after a moment. "She's relied on her sight for so long, it's a heavy part of her magic. Everything she's ever known is changing and she can't stop it." Looking over to the blonde, he sighed. "The one thing she was worried about, that bothered her about it all- Cara, it wasn't that her sight was gone, it was that she believed she was no longer able to protect her people and give a just punishment. I only thought of her and she only thought of her people."

"Where are we going?"

"We're going to tell her you accepted her offer.

"Maybe it should wait until morning."

"You should meet her," he countered softly. "I know that you don't have very many reasons to trust me, but she isn't the person you're thinking of." Coming to a stop, he smiled and reached to the door. "She is the best of all of us." Opening the door, he entered first, letting the other woman follow him in cautiously.

Kahlan was sitting in a chair beside the fireplace, seeming to be asleep, but her head turned at their entrance. "It's raining," she whispered to him as he came closer. "It sounds beautiful."

Smiling, he nodded and reached for her hand. "It is. Kahlan, there's someone here to meet you." She stood with him, quickly rubbing her free hand down the front of her dress, the way he had seen her do many times before a council meeting. "Kahlan, I would like you to meet, Cara."

"Mother Confessor," the blonde said softly.

The women stood still for few moments and if Kahlan could see, it would be both of them staring at each other searching for weakness, two animals challenging the others role. Richard felt the tension around them, but said nothing, waiting for what would come next.

"Thank you," Kahlan said after a few breaths. "Had you and your sisters not been there, we could be dead. I know it was not my life you intended to save, but I am grateful." Her voice was soft and genuine, but hard at the same time, the others knowing that it was her way to stand her ground.

"Your Lord Rahl has a knack for getting himself into trouble."

Kahlan smiled, nodding her head. "Yes, he does." The Mord'Sith was surprised by the moment, the woman before not being any of the things she had been told. Richard had been right and though she would never tell him, it gained more of her trust. "Have you accepted my offer?"

"Yes," Cara said as her eyes found Richard's. She wasn't going to thank her for the offer, none of them would. "The child you carry is Lord Rahl's?"

Kahlan seemed surprised to be asked such a direct question from someone other than Richard, but nodded. "She is."

"What is your plan with her?"

Kahlan's shoulders slouched in ease, the woman calling the child a 'her' instead of the more common, 'it'. "I do not know," she answered honestly, surprising the other two. "The thought has been on my mind for some time, but I do not feel it is my decision to make."

"Who's is it?"

"It will be hers. I do not want to force one life upon her, she has a choice."

"You want her to chose between being a Confessor or a Rahl?"

"No," she replied quickly. "That is not a decision she can make. She is both by blood, but she can choose the life she wishes. When I die, we will need another Mother Confessor, same as with Richard."

"Have more children," the blonde stated as though it solved everything. "First born takes Aydindril, the second takes Lord Rahl's place."

Grinning, the Mother Confessor took a step forward, testing the other. "I can bear no son."

Shadowing her actions, Cara tilted her head. "The blood unites us, not the manhood."

Licking her lips, Kahlan reached her hand back, waiting for Richard to take it, he did, instantly. "You were right," she told him. "She is everything you said she was. Would you care to accompany us to the dining hall? There is a feast being prepared for you and your sisters."

"What are you thinking?"

Kahlan turned her head toward his voice, smiling. "The water is warm."

Richard chuckled, his body fighting the urge to join her in the bathtub. "I know, it's steaming."

Lifting an eyebrow, she bit her lower lip. "I'm not sure you can tell from over there."

"I don't want to hurt you," he said instantly, remembering what had taken place a few nights before.

"And if I promised not to touch you?"

"I would be disappointed," he replied honestly. "You're tired, you should rest."

"I am resting," she told him through a whisper. "All that I do is rest." He could hear the distress in her voice, noticing that she gave no effort to hide it. "I feel useless now."

"You're not useless," he told her softly.

Sinking lower into the water, she sighed. "I can't do any of the things I used to. I'm tired of the darkness."

Walking around the bathtub, Richard knelt down behind her and reached his arms around her, letting them sink into the water. "You just need time to adjust."

"I don't want to adjust," she admitted as she turned her head slightly, needing to feel more of his breath on her cheek. "I didn't think I wouldn't be able to see for this long. Every minute that has passed, I've thought it could be the last and then the next arrives and I'm still trapped in the dark." Bringing her hands to his forearms, she pulled them closer to her. "Sometimes I wake up and for a moment, I'm- It was dark there and it's dark here."

"Kahlan-"

"Those nights I've woken you, if you hadn't been there, I don't think I would have been able to get through them." Taking in a deep breath, she closed her eyes. "I'll never be able to see her," Kahlan added through a whimper. "I keep imagining what she will look like, but I'll never really know." Shifting in the water, she swallowed. "I'm going to miss so much."

"You'll be there," he offered softly, unsure as to what to say that would make her feel any better. "I know that may not be enough right now, but when you hold her and hear her laugh, it will be so much more than you thought it could ever be."

"What kind of mother can I be to her?"

"I meant what I said before, Kahlan. You will be a wonderful mother and even without your sight, you will be able to do everything. You'll protect and comfort her, give her advice that no one else can and she will love you."

"I'm scared."

"Me too," he admitted through a sigh. "The only thing that keeps me calm is knowing that I'm doing this with you."

"A blind woman."

"The woman I love," he corrected her. "Come on, lets get you out of the water before it gets cold."

She stumbled as she attempted to step out of the water, instantly landing in his arms. "Thank you." With a quiet sigh, she stabilized herself and moved just out of his grasp. "I wish that I didn't need your help so often. You should be able to leave my side."

"I can leave your side, but I don't want to."

"You should," she told him as she reached out her left hand, feeling for the heat of the fire so she would know which way to move to get to the bed. She was soaking wet and would probably slip on the way, but being so close to him when she felt useless, wasn't something she wanted to continue. "I know how much you hate being cooped up."

"Two steps to your right," he said as she moved. "There's a towel on the bed table, beside your clothes."

Wrapping herself in the warm cloth, she turned to face him. "I can't even get dressed without your help."

"Maybe the spirits want you to remain naked," he told her with a smile she couldn't see. There was sadness on her face, covering her features as he slowly began walking toward her. "Give yourself time, Kahlan. Listen to me, I know you and I can't imagine how hard this is, but it will get easier, I promise. I'll be here, every step and I will help you through this."

"I don't know how you can be so sure. How can you know that this will become easier? Every minute I feel I'm suffocating and I... Everything that I was, the woman I used to be, she's dying."

Pulling her into his arms, Richard held her tightly. "She's not dying," he whispered into her hair. "She's adapting. Kahlan, I promise you that this will get better. You're still here, you're still you." The woman he hugged was the strongest he had ever known and feeling her tears soak into his shirt told him just how hard it was on her. He knew she could get through it, that she was the only one who could and when it came to an end, she would be stronger for it. "You're still here."

Clinging to his shoulders, she tried to melt into him, finding his embrace more comforting than her own breath. "Would you mind lying with me for while before you see Cara."

"I had no plans of going to her tonight," he told her softly. "We don't want to scare off our new friend." Moving her onto the bed, he hovered over her for a moment. "I may have imagined doing something far more fun."

"What did you have in mind?"

Resting himself against her, pushing just slightly, he beamed. "Many things."

"Things we couldn't have done in the warm water?"

"I think I can keep you warmer than the bath."

She smiled, bringing her left hand to his face. "But that's not what you planned to do."

"How do you know?"

"Because you didn't join me in the bath."

"Maybe I was waiting for the right moment."

With a soft chuckle, she shook her head and lowered her hand to the side of the bed. "There is no right moment with us. We're lucky to have what we do."

"We have many right moments, like this one. I'm laying above you and you're naked, beautiful, pregnant... This, above our many others, is a right moment."

"I like the way you see things."

Grinning, he kissed her quickly, knowing that too much contact would change his plans. "Me too." Sitting up, he straddled her waist and reached for the nightgown he had folded and laid on the small table beside the bed. "Let's get you dressed."

She frowned, doing her best to pout without smiling. "I don't want to."

"If you want to walk the halls naked-"

"Where are we going?" she asked a little more eager than intended.

"For a walk through the palace."

"Leading us where?"

"You're not going to get me to tell you, Mother Confessor. I'm afraid that you're going to have to come with me to find out."

Moving to sit up, she pursed her lips. "If we end up in the kitchen with Zedd, you're spending the night in there."

He let out a soft chuckle, helping her arms go into the nightgown. "I promise that won't happen again."

He was excited. It was rare that she left her room even more so that she agreed to it so easily. He had wanted to take her out during the day, but she didn't like moving through the palace while it was awake. She told him that she could feel the people's eyes on her, watching as she walked past, disappointed. He could understand how she could feel that way, but he couldn't find the words to tell her that her people looked proudly at her. Richard would swear that many of them believed that her sight was taken while she defended them and in some way, it was.

When she was dressed, he took her hand and led her out of their room, bringing her arm to his to make her feel like he wasn't her guide. She held onto him tightly for a few moments, adjusting herself to match his speed, instead of her usual rushed pace. They walked for a few minutes, down a set of stairs and around another, then down again. She tried to visualize a map of her own home, hoping to understand where he was leading her. After several more minutes, he brought them to a stop and he brought her hand to a doorknob. Instantly, she knew where they were. He had lead her to the servants quarters, the round and simple knob giving their location away. Confused, she turned it and for a moment expected to see what was inside. She couldn't help but feel like it was the type of place he would bring her, a place he had most likely found comfort, a place he felt more at home. He was a simple man and never had the need for most of the things they were given, one of the many things she loved so much about him.

He said nothing as they walked inside, only now, he was leading her and faster than before. Pulling out her hand, he brought it to something wooden. "I haven't done as much as I hoped I would before showing you, but I want you to-"

"You've been building a crib?" she asked in a voice that made his troubles fade. Both of her hands were moving over the wood, gliding along the well sanded edges.

"It's not much and I know that you must have something greater, but this seemed like the only thing that I could do for her."

Kahlan pulled back her right hand and reached for him, taking hold of his left with a tight squeeze. "You're the first man to build a crib for a Confessor willingly."

He was surprised, even though he knew that he shouldn't be. The people around them were far different than the ones he was always surrounded by. "I wish that I could do more."

"You've already done more than anyone."

"It doesn't feel like enough," he told her softly. "I feel there is so much I should be doing, but I don't know what it is."

"I don't think there is anything more you can do." Moving closer to him, she laid her left hand back on the wood before her and smiled. "How long- When have you had time to work on this?"

"I come here every day for a little while, when you're with Zedd. It was the only time I felt it was safe to be more than a step away from you."

"It feels like you've been working on this for months."

"The thought, the design- I've been thinking about this since we met."

"What's this?" she asked as her fingers touched what appeared to be a carved face.

"A strong woman," he replied without hesitation. "Its you."

Grinning, she squeezed his hand. "I don't look like that."

"How would you know?" he teased, his lips coming to her neck for a brief kiss. "You can't see your own beauty."

"I can't see anything."

"I suppose I should show you, then."

Wrapping her in his arms, he pushed his chest against hers while his mouth began exploring her cheeks and jaw. Taking his time, he moved his hands over her, holding them together as she wrapped her fingers in his hair. She tugged him closer, her head falling back as his lips drifted down her neck, finding the spot that always sent shivers down her spine.

A long moan flowed from her lips, her knees bending as she struggled to remain standing. Pulling back a few inches, he grabbed her hands and began leading her across the room. He sat down in a thick and wide wooden chair, bringing her to sit above him. Before he could take a breath, she claimed his lips and pushed forward, stealing what was left of the oxygen from his lungs. The silk nightgown was bunched around her hips within a kiss, his hands searching for more skin to caress. He loved the feel of her, the way her body was soft where he was rough, a pleasant truth as they laid together.

He didn't know when or who unlaced his pants, but suddenly he felt her against him, ready and wanting. It was all too easy to send her higher, her body feeling the actions with an intensity she shared through a moan. Richard wanted to tear through the gown, desperate to feel and see her before him, but they could be found at any moment and he didn't want anyone to see her that way. With a hard buck of his hips, he warned her of his desire, the one that would not be able to be contained for much longer. It was an action she had come very familiar with, one she adored because she knew what he was doing. This was her chance to stop him, to pull back if she wanted to and she loved him all the more for it. Snaking her hand between, she circled her fingers around him and lifted herself from his lap, moving to hover perfectly above him.

She could imagine his face as she lowered herself onto him, hearing his breath catch and his head fall back against the chair. They both found it impossible to breathe as they connected, the feeling taking over in a tight grasp they never wished to lose. His fingers dug into her hips, holding her steady as they struggled to remain still, drawing out the moment. This was one of the moments he spoke of earlier, where all was right for them. As usual, they moved at the same time, her hips rocking forward as his lifted, a flawless action that fueled their fire. Their mouths found the others, kissing, biting and pulling, fighting for a dominance they both would surrender.

As their pace quickened, he found it difficult to think, almost forgetting the magic that would soon take her from his arms. He always knew when it was at its strongest, when it was at its height and hard for her to hold onto. She would slow herself, allowing him to take more control, trusting him completely as she brought more of her strength to the magic. He was dangling over the edge, his breaths coming in a constant panted moan of pleasure, her name sneaking off of his lips to caress the air around them. It was custom for them, her body feeling his shake and giving him exactly what he needed to fall. She nearly broke their contact before dropping completely with a hard rock, her nails scraping his chest to hold back a heated cry of her own that attempted to join his.

She locked herself around him, strengthening the pleasure between them as he emptied himself with her. Her mind jumped back to the first time they had been together; how she had moved away to keep from hurting him only to have him groan in protest at the loss of her warmth. He couldn't stand to be lost from her when he finished, needing to feel her in order to breathe. She quickly learned to steady her breaths as she fought her own release, using his hands to hold her still and keep from throwing herself over with him. She caught a gasp breaking free, swallowing the sound as she squeezed her eyes shut. He was watching her, she could feel his desire filled eyes on her, his body already beginning to want more.

She had asked him about it once, embarrassed to question his need. To her surprise, he laughed and answered quickly, an honest answer that she knew most wouldn't. He told her that before, when he was with other women, he couldn't continue for some time, but with her, he could go on forever. As the thought went through her mind, he leaned toward and kissed the hollow of her throat, his tongue snaking out for a brief taste.

"Are you alright?" he asked in concern. "You're shaking."

Giving a small smile, she nodded. "As long as I am still conscious."

"Do you need me to let go of you?"

"No," she smiled. "I have control, now."

Lifting his hips, he watched her reaction. "How long do we have?"

With a long moan, she let her head fall back. "Spirits..."

Grabbing her hips, he held them both still, helping her to keep steady as she came to a stop. The moment had come, but instead of pulling away, she brought herself closer and used his breathing to guide hers. Their foreheads rested against each other's, their noses pressed together and her belly held firmly against his stomach.

"Do you want to go back to our bedroom?"

Shaking her head, she grinned. "Not if we have to move."

He was fighting his own movements, doing his best not to bring them to the ground and rock forward until they were both lost. "If we stay like this, I'm not going to be able to hold back." Kissing her, he beamed. "We can always lay in bed, naked."

"We won't be there fast enough."

"We'll run," he told her with a chuckle.

With a moan of discontent, she lifted herself from him and with his help, she stepped onto the floor. He moved quickly, grabbing her sides to stabilize her as her knees nearly gave in. When she was able to stand on her own, he relaced his pants, making quick work of them without care.

"Richard?" Kahlan said as she shook his shoulder. They had fallen asleep beside the fire, the previous day's meetings having taken its toll on them. It had been two weeks since their night of passion and she found it difficult to keep her mind from it. The days had come and gone quicker than most, but when she opened her eyes minutes before, she could feel time slow. She laid beside him for a few moments, blinking away the blurry dots that decorated her line of sight, her heart pounding as she tried to keep breathing. Before she knew it, she was shaking him in excitement to tell him the news.

She had awoke to the sound of a bird close to the window and without thought, she opened her eyes and suddenly jumped forward. It had to be a dream she thought at once, her eyes coming to the man who slept beside her. The spirits could not be so kind as to give her back her sight, not after everything she had done. Tears began to fill her eyes as she watched him take a breath, her hands instantly coming to his shoulder.

His eyes opened slowly, blinking away the sleep as he turned his head toward her. "Are you alright?"

She smiled widely, bringing her hands to his face and tracing over it as her eyes followed. "I can see you."

Richard sat forward at once, his own hands coming to her face to bring her closer for a better look. "You can see me?"

Nodding, the Mother Confessor let out a set of tears and licked her lips. "You're a little blurry, but I can see you. Spirits... I- I never thought that I would see you again." He suddenly turned his head, bringing his hand to cover his face for a moment. She knew why and responded quickly. "I've seen it," she whispered. "You don't have to hide it from me."

"I didn't want you to see this."

Grabbing his face, she turned his head and brought hers in close. "You're still better looking than Zedd," she told him, knowing that it would bring a smile. "It doesn't bother me."

"Kahlan-"

"I'm going to kiss you, now," she told him with a wide smile. "And I won't let you stop me."

He didn't fight her as she connected their lips, giving in as she pushed into him. She pulled back before he liked, but when she moved, he knew why. Her hands came to her belly, circling the large mound that held their daughter. Her tears fell heavier as she let her eyes circle it for the first time.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" he asked her with a smile, his right hand coming to rest over one of hers.

She chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "It's large."

"You will be giving birth any day."

Her eyes lifted to his, "I'm going to see her."

The way she spoke made his smile grow, the mix of wonder, excitement and sheer joy being the same he felt. "You're going to do so much more," he told her as his attention returned to her stomach. "Do you want to go to the kitchen? We can have some fun with Zedd before you tell him your sight has returned."

Kahlan laughed, nodding at the idea and knowing what it was he had in mind, but it was something very different than how she planned to spent any part of the day. "I was hoping we could do something else," she told him while coming to her knees.

He helped her move, letting her push against him to stand, letting her feel like she needed his help a little less. "What?"

"There is a room I would like to revisit."

His heart leaped into his throat at the seductive tone of her voice, her eyes staring into his with a hunger he had missed seeing. Without a word, he jumped up and grabbed his shirt, pulling it on before she could follow his movements. He was about to hurry to the door when he realized she was in her nightgown and with it being early in the day, more people would be about and he knew she wouldn't want to be seen in the thin, green gown. Smiling, he walked to the wardrobe and pulled out the dress he had bought her, the one she had wore many times, but had never seen.

Taking it from his hands, she ran her fingers over the fabric as she looked down at it, examining it with a smile of her own. "It's more beautiful than you said it was," she said as their eyes met.

"Only when you wear it."

Tilting her head, she bit down on the corner of her bottom lip. "Help me?"

"I'm not sure that is a good idea," he told her as his body stiffened. "If you plan on leaving this room today, it may be difficult if I cannot remove my hands from you."

"I'll risk it," she said as she turned away from him and slowly looked over her shoulder. "I don't think I'll mind having you more than once."

Richard practically flew forward, his chest pushing against her back as his hands circled to grab her breasts, squeezing just slightly as he kissed her neck. She leaned into him, her own hands switching rapidly from holding his against her to sliding into his hair, unable to decide what she wanted more. His hands slid beneath the top of her gown, teasing one of her breast with a quick graze. The action pushed her to the point of deciding, her hands now coming to his, to lead them where she wanted. With one holding her breast, she urged the other lower, lifting her nightgown to give him more access as she lost herself in the moment.

All too soon, he pulled back and turned her around, ripping the cloth open and bringing his mouth to her chest. His hands continued to move over her, exploring the body he knew everything about. Hers were wound into his hair, using his head to keep steady as she swayed in pleasure, her body fighting to remain standing while he worked seamlessly. With a heavy moan, she rocked against him, his lips now traveling over her belly with an intense flow of kisses and gentle scrapes of his teeth. She was climbing quickly and without warning, she pushed him back and brought his back to the bed.

Her eyes were dark, covered with a layer of her magic as she motioned for him to remove his shirt. He yanked the fabric from himself at once, watching as she began unlacing his pants. It as a glorious relief as she set him free, his body desperate for attention that she gave freely. His head fell back, his eyes closing as her fingers wrapped around him and pulled gently. Her hand continued to move over him as she shifted her position, bringing her lips to his chest and kissing the new set of scars he had obtained in her defense. To her, they made him more beautiful and with the grace of her tongue, she told him just how much.

Richard moaned loudly, his fingers sliding through her hair as he massaged her head, moving in the same speed as her lips on him. Whispering her name, he lifted his hips, his body climbing rapidly.

Bringing her mouth to his, she crawled over him, shifting to give them both the pressure they needed. Sitting up, she looked down at him, watching him as she moved, taking in the sight she had desperately longed for. His hands slid up her thighs, as they connected, coming to her hips to help guide her down. Her eyes began to lose focus as she came to a stop, his body filling hers completely. With a smile, she closed her eyes and let her head fall back, her hips rolling slowly. This was the way she wanted to spend the rest of her life. This was her perfect moment.