Richard swallowed the lump in his throat as he looked up at her. Kahlan had another cut along her cheek, the red matching the color in her eyes. The look on her face was terrifying. Her eyes seemed to have a life of their own. She ran her gaze across all the Sisters.

The women, now realizing the threat, clumsily grasped their weapons in unsteady hands, attempting to strike Kahlan down. The woman nearest Kahlan was the first to blindly slash her blade. Kahlan took a step back as the woman ripped open the flesh of the Sister on the other side of her, the woman gasping at what she had done but quickly letting her comrade fall to the ground as she tried to make another attempt to kill Kahlan.

Kahlan cocked her head to the side before flicking her wrist and slicing the woman's throat open. Another Sister left the circle, charging towards Kahlan. She swiftly turned and grabbed the woman's head in her hands, a loud crack resounding through the room before Kahlan dropped her limbs and let the body fall to join the rest.

The Sisters now realized they needed to become more organized, that going after Kahlan one by one was only a death wish. Richard wasn't sure what was happening, only that Kahlan had a very primal demeanor. The graceful dance that she used to fight was gone, leaving only brutal force. Richard could hear the clamor behind the doors clearer than before, the overwhelming sound of steel on steel having died. He heard panic among Cara and Zedd's voices, both trying to yell their way through the door, begging for a response. Richard figured Kahlan's yell had triggered their increase in concern.

Blood was trickling down Kahlan's hand and onto the marble. Richard took note of how much paler she looked. He wasn't sure what was happening to her, but he knew the wound needed to be healed or she would soon bleed to death. She looked unconcerned, unaware of her physical state.

She was glaring at the Sisters, not once casting a downward glance towards Richard. Kahlan was awaiting their next move. The women seemed to have more confidence in their countenance now, gripping their dacras so tightly that their knuckles became white. Richard wasn't concerned with Kahlan being able to fend them off - she had killed dozens of Sisters moments before. It was the blood loss that concerned him.

Kahlan's dress was drenched in blood. He was sure the extra weight would hinder her fighting, especially since she was no longer fighting with the technique she usually did. Soon enough, Richard realized she didn't need to lift more than a hand.

The women charged at her and Richard's pulse raced. He moved to stand on his feet, now free to do so without the women knocking him down, but before he could regain his balance he saw it.

Kahlan lifted her hand and her eyes went dark. Richard felt the familiar feel of her magic. Kahlan dropped her hand as she lifted her head, looking down at the women and sneering.

"Drop your weapons."

Richard watched as the knives fell to the floor in unison. She had just confessed multiple people without even touching them. Richard looked around frantically, realizing now that there was no longer a threat. The banging on the doors had stopped, Kahlan's voice loud enough to ensure that the two were still alive, easing their companions nerves.

All the Sisters were staring intently at Kahlan, eager to do her bidding. She turned around, moving to walk towards her chair.

"Kill each other." Richard had to slam himself against the wall to keep from being thrown into the brawl. The women were punching and kicking, attempting to crush each others skulls. None of them reached to the ground for a weapon to aid them. Richard found an opening and hurried through, walking up to Kahlan, who was now standing directly in front of the Confessor's chair, her back turned to him. Richard didn't know what to say to her, not wanting her wrath to be placed on him.

His steps were slow as he approached her. Richard grimaced as he saw the blood continuing to flow down her hand, a steady dripping sound coming from the fall of blood on marble. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and whispered her name. Kahlan instantly turned around, wrapping her bloodied hand around his throat, causing her wound to exude more of the liquid. Richard caught his breath as he stumbled backwards, his feet tripping over deceased bodies. He wanted to grab her arm but was afraid to upset the wound. Instead, he didn't fight back, adjusting to her tight grip on his neck. She couldn't confess him and her daggers were out of reach, strewn on the ground.

"Kahlan, it's me." Those were the only words he managed to choke out, her grip on his neck tightening. Her glare was terrifying him and all he wanted to do was see her eyes return to their brilliant shade of blue. When he realized she wasn't going to let go, he reached down and pulled his shirt out of his pants, ripping off a large portion of the fabric. Her eyes never wavered from his.

Richard slowly wrapped the cloth around Kahlan's arm, tying it tightly in hopes to stop the bleeding. He rested his hand around her wrist, squeezing lightly. Her grip loosened.

"Kahlan, it's me." He repeated, her primal nature faltering. "Kahlan, it's me. Richard. The man that loves you. The one you love to push around. Remember?" He laughed softly, trying hard not to upset her. Kahlan's temper while she was herself was a tricky one to predict, predicting it now was nearly impossible. He noticed how she swayed on her feet and her grip on him went more slack. He took a step forward and rested his hands on her hips, trying to steady her. "Kahlan, I love you." She blinked a few times as her hand dropped from his neck, the red vanishing from her eyes. She fell against him and he wrapped his arms around her, lowering her to the ground.

Richard watched as the Sisters killed each other, leaving only one contender standing. He rocked Kahlan back and forth as she regained her composure. The Sister stood still among the mass of red on the floor, waiting eagerly for Kahlan's next command. Kahlan glanced her way and mustered up her strength.

"Die."

Richard wasn't shocked when he saw the woman fall to the ground after the world spilled from Kahlan's lips. Richard continued to rock her, noticing how the tourniquet on her arm was soaked through with blood already.

Now that the Sisters were dead, the barricade on the room fell away, allowing Zedd and Cara to madly rush in. Zedd ran over to the two, sidestepping bodies. He leaned next to Richard, resting a hand on Kahlan's forehead.

"Her eyes were red." Richard's voice was soft.

Zedd nodded, not surprised. Cara casually walked through the carnage, kicking bodies over to inspect the dead. She nodded her satisfaction, strolling up to Richard.

"The majority of this was the Mother Confessor's work. Her method of killing varies from yours." Cara shrugged as she looked over her shoulder, observing the death once again.

Zedd moved to Kahlan's arm, the cloth soaked entirely with blood. She was mumbling something, but Richard couldn't understand what she said. He continued to rock her slowly as Zedd shook his head.

"Heal her."

"At once, my boy."