Kahlan walked silently behind Richard as he escorted her through various halls. She hadn't been paying attention when they rode into the city, her mind focused on the man in front of her. She knew he had tried to kill her during the night they had the altercation, but he couldn't. Kahlan knew it was because of Denna's orders, and it made her cringe. She wished he would have just plunged his sword into her chest instead of making her go through this.
Before they entered the building, Richard had bound Kahlan's hands with rope, causing her to have a panic attack. She begged him to untie her, that she would comply, but he showed no signs of sympathy. She had clenched her eyes as tears flew from them freely, her body shaking as memories of her father overwhelmed her. When he began walking forward, she let out a small screech, her body refusing to move ahead. Kahlan found comfort when he reached out to her with one of his hands, letting her bound hands grasp onto his limb for support. It reminded her all too well of the Richard she had lost.
Despite his disgust for her, Richard didn't mind offering her his hand. He saw how distressed she became when he tied her wrists, and he knew that what he was doing was horrendous. He may be broken, but he was fully aware of what he was doing - how it affected her. Richard cursed the un-tainted portion of his soul, the part that belonged fully to Kahlan.
While lost in his thoughts, Denna walked straight towards him, a look of satisfaction gracing her features. Kahlan almost ran into Richard's back when he stopped, her hands gripping to his more tightly when she saw the Mord'Sith. Surprisingly, Richard gave her a reassuring squeeze back. She smiled despite herself.
"What makes you joyful, Mother Confessor?" Kahlan jumped slightly at the question, realizing she had been smiling over something that probably meant nothing. She felt stupid for letting Denna see her weakness.
"Oh, meeting with you again, Denna. It's always a pleasure." Kahlan retorted, holding her head high and glaring at the blonde. Richard's hold on her hand became tighter.
"Why are you holding the Mother Confessor's hands, Richard?" Denna inched closer to him, her nose lightly grazing his, her eyes questioning and accusing.
"Her wrists are bound, she will panic if I'm not here to reassure her." Kahlan was surprised at the softness in his voice, as if he was defending her and her weakness. However, now Denna knew that Kahlan had an issue with her wrists being tied. This would not bode well for her. She jerked her hands away from his, Richard's hand still trying to grasp onto hers. He turned and looked at her in shock when he felt her skin leave his. Kahlan lifted her hands in front of her face and smiled.
"Seems she isn't panicking, Seeker." Denna's glare was harsh and cold. "Perhaps you aren't fully broken yet," the Mord'Sith waved her agiel in front of Richard's face and he flinched. Kahlan now felt horrible, he was going to be punished for her lies. "We shall work more on your obedience when the Mother Confessor," she waved her agiel in Kahlan's direction, "is talking with Lord Rahl." Denna smiled wickedly as she grabbed onto Kahlan's wrists and tugged her down the long hall. Richard followed.
The smell was foul as Denna led the two deeper into the palace, the corridors getting more dark and damp as they descended. Kahlan had to keep herself from heaving, realizing there was nothing for her to rid of. She had refused food for the past few days. She thanked the spirits. Denna would no doubt be very displeased if Kahlan were to empty the contents of her stomach onto her red leather. Kahlan now wished she would have eaten.
Richard stayed a few feet behind as he followed Kahlan and Denna. Normally, under his broken state, he would be entranced by Denna. However, he was now intently watching Kahlan. Despite the dire situation, she still managed to walk with a grace that only she held. Her eyes weren't fearful, her stance unwavering. She was aware she was walking to her death, yet she would give her captors no satisfaction in seeing her fear. Richard admired that about Kahlan.
He felt a sharp pain shoot through his spine as Denna glared back at him. Richard had forgotten that Denna could sense what he was thinking. When he was away from her, it was much easier for her hold on him to ease - in that sense, at least. He ran his hand through his hair as he looked at the ground, deciding looking at Kahlan would only end up dealing him a more violent punishment from Denna.
Denna turned around and Kahlan slammed into the Mord'Sith. The blonde scowled at her and Kahlan smiled in response, taking a step back as Denna let go of her bound hands. "This, Mother Confessor, is where you will be staying for the time being." Denna kicked at the dungeon door, the creak of the wood causing Kahlan's brows to furrow. She glanced at Denna as the door gave way, finally opening as the blonde grabbed Kahlan by her hair and threw her into the cellar. Denna closed the door and locked it, looking through the iron bars and smiling.
"Soon, Lord Rahl will be here to speak with you. I assure you his visit will be much more pleasant than mine." Denna laughed and Kahlan cringed, realizing that her wrists were still bound. Now she was trapped in this small dungeon. Panic began overwhelming her again as she searched the room frantically, trying to find a way to undo the rope. She then remembered her dagger, but didn't wish to pull out the weapon just yet. That lone piece of steel may be the only thing that could save her life.
Kahlan slumped against the cold stone wall, her eyes watering as she finally gave into her depression. She heard a slight shuffling outside of the door and lifted her head, her gaze raising to meet Richard's face. His hand reached through the iron bar.
"Mother Confessor, the rope." Kahlan looked down at her wrists and up to him, wondering if it was a trick. Perhaps he would tie it tighter, taunting her for trusting in him. The look in Richard's eyes told her that he wouldn't do such a thing - not even when broken.
Kahlan sniffed as she pushed herself off the ground, slowly walking over to Richard. Her eyes darted around the small, damp room. This was her prison, a prison she had created when she had left Richard in the woods. Kahlan had to shut her eyes to keep from sobbing again. When she reached Richard, he looked upon her with the warm brown eyes that had always intrigued her, always saw straight through her facade. Kahlan swallowed past the lump in her throat as she lifted her hands for him to see.
Richard didn't know why he wished to untie Kahlan, other than that the rope made her panic beyond belief. He shouldn't care, but he did. He was surprised Denna hadn't beckoned him with her after she had left. Richard was also surprised that he wasn't feeling any repercussions of his actions at the moment. He was sure he would pay for them later.
He felt around until his hand found the hilt of the dagger he had taken from her, drawing it out of his belt and bringing it to the bars. Kahlan froze, her eyes growing wide as he held her weapon in front of her. He payed no mind, slipping the dagger into part of the rope, making sure not to slice her skin. Right as he was about to free her, he heard Denna's heavy footsteps in the hall. Richard stopped his movements and glanced at the Mord'Sith.
Kahlan sighed in defeat as Richard backed away from her cell, noticing how he tucked her dagger back into his belt as he stared openly at Denna.
"I have something you may want, Seeker." Richard's gaze drifted to Denna's hands, which were holding the Sword of Truth. He smiled, walking forward and ignoring Kahlan. Her constricted hands reached for the bars, her face pressed close, trying to see what was happening. Kahlan wanted to cry when she saw the glint of the sword.
"You have done your mission well, bringing the Mother Confessor back here, alive and well. You deserve your reward." Denna cooed, appraising him and lifting the sword to place in his hands. Richard relished the feel of the sheath, slowly pulling the sword out. Kahlan cringed as she heard the distinctive ring that his sword made.
The anger surged through Richard, his blood boiling as the sword fueled him. Richard glanced back at Kahlan and she stilled her movements, her mouth agape.
Kahlan had never seen him look so evil before. It was as if the Keeper himself had taken ahold of the man she loved.
The two stared at each other until a chilling laughter penetrated the silence.