Shale took a step back. “Subtractive Magic? Are you crazy?”
Richard waved a hand to dismiss her concern as he climbed up to stand on the stone wall. “I can give you enough of it to make it possible for you to travel. Don’t worry. I’ve done it before.”
As Richard was reassuring Shale, the sliph reached out to run a hand across Kahlan’s brow.
“She may not travel,” the silver face announced with a hint of distaste.
Richard had just helped Vika up beside him. He turned to frown at the sliph, then held an arm out toward Kahlan. “What are you talking about? Kahlan has traveled before many times. Of course she can travel.”
“Not now.”
Richard growled his impatience. “Why not?”
“Because she is pregnant. She and the two babies growing in her would die in me if she were to try to travel.”
Richard turned with a look that locked Kahlan’s breath in her lungs. Richard stood frozen with a look of shock on his face as he stared down at her. She suddenly felt hot all over. Her fingers and toes tingled. She thought she might pass out.
Kahlan forced herself to speak. “It’s all right, Richard. You and Vika go. I will stay here. Shale and my sisters of the Agiel will protect me. I will have your sword. You must travel to the Keep to get help. You must. It’s our only chance.”
Richard hadn’t moved a muscle as he stared at her. The room rang with a terrible silence. No one said a word.
The Mord-Sith were all staring at her, but Kahlan could only look into Richard’s gray eyes.
She swallowed again, desperately trying to hold back tears as she took a step back away from the sliph’s well. “I love you. Now go.”