Most of the time, it was really hard not to feel like Kahlan's presence caused a faint fever - impossible to stop the goofy smile from stretching across his face.

But this time, it was easy. Kahlan's skin was cold, clammy, neck limp and head lolling, and there was not a thought in Richard's mind beyond the importance of getting her out of her wet clothes and in front of a fire.

It was once that had been done, when he was wrapped around her, both of them swaddled in furs before the fire, once she started to shiver and clutch and him and ask questions that all sort of thoughts that Richard wasn't supposed to think were thought.