Kahlan didn't have to recognize the laughter to know who it was. She withdrew herself from the bars, relieved that Richard had finally broken their gaze. She could feel the rage run through his veins, how most of it was directed towards her. That, along with Darken Rahl, made Kahlan want to curl up in the corner of her cell and die.
Darken Rahl moved past Denna and Richard, smiling as he reached the iron bars, peering in on Kahlan as she fumbled with the rope around her hands. He noticed and motioned towards Richard, who still hadn't put down his sword. The rage filled Seeker stepped forward, ready to be commanded by him as well. Kahlan felt bile rise in her throat.
"A beautiful creature such as she should never be restrained," Kahlan rolled her eyes as she heard the lock click and the door slowly scrape open. "At least, not in this sense." Darken's smile was wicked, promises of what was to come filling her head. She prayed to the spirits that Richard lost control and would run her through with his sword. It's the only hope she could hold on to. "Release her." Richard nodded at Darken as Denna stepped up behind Lord Rahl, watching over his shoulder to see Richard complete his task.
Richard walked up to her, noticing how her stance was still that of a confident woman. Despite everything, she still held herself as though she had everything was under control. Everything was not under control. Richard could feel everything spiraling downwards. The rage from the Sword of Truth was able to hinder his feelings, allowing him to do as he was commanded while keeping up a wall of anger towards her.
Kahlan backed against the wall, wishing that Richard's eyes didn't bore through her. She glared at Darken as she lifted her hands, allowing Richard to slip the sword in and cut the rope. She felt relief that her hands were now free, but sorrow at the same time. Richard hovered the sword in front of her face after the rope fell away, glaring at her with a heated gaze. Kahlan mirrored his expression, causing him to scoff as he walked off, positioning himself on the opposite wall, keeping an eye on her.
Darken walked in, followed by Denna. Although strong, she knew she wouldn't be able to get past Darken and Denna, and certainly not without having to kill Richard in the process. Everything seemed doomed. She wasn't sure why she was here, but Kahlan knew she would die. It wasn't even a question.
"My, my," Darken dry washed his hands as he approached her. "The Mother Confessor herself. The one my quads didn't manage to kill," he reached out a hand and slid his fingers over the side of her cheek, causing Kahlan to scowl. "Their failure has benefited me. You are far too attractive of a creature to be wasted. At least, before I have my fun with you." Kahlan bit the side of her cheek to keep from digging herself into a deeper hole.
Richard fumed. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, which he had sheathed after cutting Kahlan's binds. Darken Rahl had touched her. Granted, it wasn't necessarily in a malicious manner, but it was still an unwarranted touch. He had also made suggestive comments about restraining Kahlan, of having his fun with her. Richard's features contorted as his grip on the sword tightened. He wanted to run Darken through. No, he wanted to bleed him dry and make him suffer.
Denna stepped up beside him and shot him a glare, causing Richard's thoughts to fall away as his head began to throb. His vision became blurry and he watched as Kahlan's body tensed up, her eyes darting to him as if to plead with him to save her.
Darken smiled as he appraised her figure. "The Seeker can no longer save you. You have failed, Mother Confessor." His words cut straight through her. Even though they were true, hearing them from her enemy made them hurt all the more. She bit her bottom lip until she felt the metallic taste leak into her mouth. She let go and blood trickled down her lip, falling onto her chin. Darken smiled.
Richard froze as Darken reached out and wiped the small amount of blood off of her lip. "You'll be bleeding soon enough," Darken reached out and grabbed her arm, pulling her body close to his and breathing on her face. "However, I do not wish for you to be bleeding unless it's by my own hands." He pushed her away from him, Kahlan's back slamming into the wall as her head cracked against the stone. She groaned and lifted a hand to her forehead.
Richard's eyes grew wide and his grip on his sword tightened, rage filling his core. Only this time, it wasn't directed towards Kahlan. He clenched his jaw as Denna backhanded him. "Behave, Seeker." She hissed through gritted teeth, her pale face matching the red of her leather as her temper grew. Richard let go of the sword, letting the rage fall away. To his surprise, it didn't. The thoughts in Richard's head still didn't die down. He wanted to kill Darken for touching Kahlan - his Kahlan. Denna grabbed him by the neck and shoved him against the wall. The blonde pressed her agiel under his chin. "Stop your thoughts, Seeker. I will be the only one that fills your head." She spat, letting go of him and letting him crumple to the floor.
Kahlan stared in astonishment. What had Denna meant? It didn't matter, the distraction gave her the perfect opportunity to strike back.
Richard's vision came back to him as he stared at the ceiling, his head throbbing and his body sore. Denna was hovering over him, arms crossed and glaring at him. Lord Rahl had stepped over to them, his gaze questioning.
"I thought you said he was broken, Mistress Denna."
"He is." Denna drawled out, her glare intensifying as she leaned down and grabbed Richard by his belt, hoisting him up on his unsteady feet. He blinked as he tried to balance. "Aren't you, Seeker?" He nodded and Denna kneed him in the stomach. "Aren't you, Seeker?" She repeated, venom lacing her words.
"Yes, Mistress Denna." He choked out, blood dripping down his chin. Darken smiled and turned back to Kahlan. She cursed the spirits, upset that she hadn't brought out her dagger faster. She could have easily killed Darken and perhaps slit Denna's throat while she was preoccupied with Richard. However, she was so concerned for Richard's safety that she hesitated and that hesitation would cost her life, and Richard's. She cursed under her breath as she glared at Lord Rahl.
"We shall see," Darken stated, turning towards Richard and gesturing him with a hand to come forward. He looked warily between the Mord'Sith and the Lord Rahl, finally relenting and forcing himself off the ground to stand by Rahl's side. "Cut the Mother Confessor's hand." Kahlan sighed and lifted her palm up towards him, hoping her cooperation would somehow ease the process. It was just a cut, after all. It was just Richard proving he was still broken. It was not the man she loved intentionally trying to harm her.
Richard looked between the two and drew his sword out, the distinctive sound resonating through the room as Kahlan closed her eyes. He glanced at her and she saw hesitation in his chocolate orbs. Kahlan gave a slight nod, as if telling him it was okay. Richard placed the sword above her palm, his body stiffening.
Richard was incredibly frustrated that he couldn't even cut her hand. In the beginning of the hunt, he was able to shoot an arrow at her. Maybe that was just because he himself didn't have to inflict the pain, it was the arrow's job. The longer you're broken, the more you should relent, but it was the opposite with him. He was becoming even more reluctant to do Denna's bidding. He scowled as he lowered his sword, stepping back. Richard felt Denna's anger towards him radiating off of her body. Rahl looked at him with disgust.
"Doesn't seem like he's very broken, Mistress Denna. Perhaps I need to replace you with a more competent trainer." Kahlan watched as Denna's face became red, her body tensing and her blue eyes dangerously glaring at Richard.
This was her chance.
When Darken Rahl turned back towards her, she lifted her hand and grasped it around his throat. Time was hers and hers alone. Kahlan could faintly hear Denna screaming in the background, yelling commands at Richard. Kahlan didn't pay attention - none of it mattered. Her grip tightened as she released her magic into him, into her greatest enemy.