I think this is going to start getting interesting. I hope so, at least.
Kahlan sighed and looked at her shackled arms, "I knew we shouldn't trust her."
"You don't know her," Cara whispered. "She wouldn't do this. There has to be some other reason."
Kahlan saw the hurt behind her strong façade and she attempted to comfort her. Kahlan scooted over to where Cara was leaning against the stone wall and wrapped her arms around her.
Cara stiffened and spoke without facing the other woman, "What are you doing?"
Kahlan chuckled, "It's called a hug, Cara."
"And why do you think it is appropriate for you to give me one?"
Kahlan pulled back unhappily, "Look, Dahlia led us into a trap. She's obviously not trustworthy even though you still think she is. Now we need to figure out a way out of here." She got up to look for anything that could help them escape.
Cara stood up and looked at Kahlan with a fire in her eyes, "I love her."
Kahlan felt like she had been punched in the gut and words deserted her.
Cara continued because of her silence, "I don't expect you to understand but we were trained together. We kept each other strong and I know that she wouldn't do something like this. There must be some reason why she did and we just don't know what it is."
Kahlan couldn't process what Cara had said, "You…love her?"
The blonde looked at the dark haired woman. There was confusion and what sounded like hurt in her voice. She hesitated, "I do."
Kahlan slumped against the wall and felt despair sink in. She had no chance with Cara.
Cara sat next to her, "Just like you love Richard."
"Richard?" She thought of him for the first time since they had parted ways. It's true that at one time she had some sort of affection for him but it wasn't real love. She barely felt anything for him anymore. Not since Cara began slipping into her thoughts.
"Yes, the Lord Rahl," Cara insisted.
"Richard and I aren't in love. He may think so but…" She trailed off leaving Cara wondering what she would've said.
Three Mord'Sith burst into the room. One of them was Dahlia. The other two Mord'Sith unlocked Cara and Kahlan and shoved them out of the cell. They had to climb quite a few flights of stairs before coming to a large circular room.
It was lit by torches and had chains hanging from the ceiling. It was clear what their intent was. Kahlan and Cara looked at each other and had the same idea. It was only them and the three Mord'Sith in the room and their hands had been left untied.
Quickly Cara spun around knocking one Mord'Sith off balance. Kahlan leaped at Dahlia letting her anger out on the woman. She swung her fist hard and connected with Dahlia's face but an agiel hit her temple and her vision turned black.
Cara was having better luck. One Mord'Sith swung her agiel down at Cara but she sidestepped and grabbed the woman's wrist. She twisted until the Mord'Sith was forced to drop her agiel. Cara snatched it up and slammed it across her face. She then turned to attack the other but more Mord'Sith filed into the room. She readied herself to try and fight them off.
"Cara, I don't think you want to do that," Dahlia said calmly as she held her agiel to an unconscious Kahlan's throat. "Drop the agiel, Cara."
"Don't hurt her," Cara growled.
"Oh, she won't be hurt as long as you cooperate. Now, drop the agiel," Dahlia demanded.
Cara let the agiel slip through her fingers and allowed the Mord'Sith to seize her by her arms. They took her over to one pair of hanging chains and in minutes she was swaying from the ceiling by her wrists.
Cara was forced to watch as they did the same to Kahlan. Afterwards the Mord'Sith left one by one until only Dahlia was left.
"Why are you doing this, Dahlia?" Cara tried to keep her voice level but it betrayed her too.
Dahlia's expression turned soft, "Cara, don't you understand? They stole you from me and your sisters."
"They saved me after my sisters deserted me and left me for dead."
Dahlia stroked Cara's cheek softly, "Can't you see they've turned you against us." She leaned in and let her lips brush against Cara's.
It was brief but sincere, so much so that Cara wasn't sure what was right anymore. She leaned forward out of longing and grabbed Dahlia's lips with her own. Dahlia took her initiative as acceptance and kissed her fully. Cara couldn't remember what she was doing there until she heard Kahlan moan. It all came rushing back and she pulled away abruptly.
"No, Dahlia you did that yourself," Cara breathed fiercely.
Dahlia's breathing increased as she became frustrated, "The real Lord Rahl needs you. He sent me to deliver you at his feet as a fully compliant Mord'Sith. This isn't what I want to do but it's my duty." She circled Cara, tracing her agiel lightly across her back sending intense pain through her.
Cara remained stubbornly quiet apart from her ragged breathing. Dahlia walked back around to face her with sadness in her eyes. She leaned in and whispered, "I love you." She pulled away and plunged the agiel into her abdomen. With that, she began her rebreaking.