"No, sire."
"No?"The king's eyebrows rose."What if she's a shrew?Or a hideous wildebeest?"
"It matters not," Boyd replied.
The room fell silent again.Every councilor was staring at him now with curiosity.
The king's expression shifted, understanding dawning in his eyes."Ye plan to punish her?"
Boyd's jaw tightened."Something like that."
"If this is truly what ye want, I will not deny you.But I hope ye ken what ye're doing, Monk.Marriage is not something to be entered into lightly."
Boyd merely nodded.All he could think about was seeing her again.This time on equal terms.
Before anyone could say anything further, another of the king's men they called 'the Shadow' who had been quiet throughout most of the proceedings, cleared his throat."If I may, Your Majesty?"
The king gestured for him to continue.
"I have seen the lass in question.'Twould be going on two years now."
Boyd stiffened, every muscle in his body going taut.His hands clenched into fists at his sides.
"And?"the king prompted.
Shadow paused in reflection then said, "She seemed a comely sort.Quiet.Unassuming.'Twas in the village near the abbey.One of her rare outings, I gathered.She did not speak much, kept her eyes cast down mostly.But she was pleasant enough to look upon."
Boyd forced himself to keep his face impassive, even as his heart hammered against his ribs.Quiet.Unassuming.That did not sound like the Bella he remembered at all.The Bella he'd known had been vibrant, full of life and laughter, with eyes that sparkled with mischief and a tongue sharp enough to match wits with anyone.
"Well then," the king replied."She seems hale enough."He looked at Boyd."Are ye certain about this?"
Boyd met his gaze."Aye, sire.I am."
"Very well."The king clapped his hands together."Consider it done.Bella Sutherland will be yers.I'll have the papers drawn up immediately.We'll send word to the abbey and to her brother.The marriage will take place within the month."
As the council resumed their chatter, Boyd let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding.
Mine, he thought.Bella will be mine.
***
BOYD STRODE FROM THEcouncil chamber, his boots echoing against the stone floor as he made his way toward the courtyard.The meeting had ended, the decision made, and now he needed air, needed space to process what he'd just done.
"Monk, hold a moment!"
He turned to see Shadow jogging after him, his long black hair streaming behind him.Shadow was another of the king's men, his real name was Cormac Stewart.Over the years, they'd become trusted friends.Like Boyd, Cormac cut an imposing figure.He was broad-shouldered and battle-hardened, his tanned skin bearing the scars of a decade of service.
Boyd slowed his pace, allowing his friend to catch up.Together they began walking across the courtyard toward the smithy, where Boyd needed to have his sword re-cast.
"Aye, what is it?"Boyd asked, though he had a fair idea what was coming.
Cormac fell into step beside him, his dark eyes studying Boyd's profile."Are ye daft?Ye're really going to wed this lass?"
"Aye."
"Why?Tell me true.Why this Bella Sutherland particularly?I've kenned ye a long time, and ye've never reacted to any woman like this one before."
Boyd's jaw tightened.They passed beneath an archway, the shadows briefly cooling the air around them."Years ago she betrayed me."
