Bella's unease increased.
"Abbess Bethóc, ye wanted to speak to me?"
"Aye, lass.Sit, please."The older woman's gaze flickered briefly over Bella's clothing but she made no comment.She gestured to the chair across from her."I received a missive from the king this morning.He requests certain action be taken with regard to ye."
"With me?"Bella sank into the chair, her mind racing."I dinnae understand.What has happened?"
The abbess sighed heavily, setting the parchment down."It seems yer brother, Laird Bryce Sutherland, has fallen out of favor with His Majesty.There is a matter that requires your immediate attention."
"Bryce?"Bella's voice came out strangled.She hadn't heard from her brother in years, not since her father died and Bryce became laird.She still remembered him casting her out of the clan years ago, calling her a disgrace to the Sutherland name."But I have not seen him since he sent me here."
"Be that as it may, lass, ye are still a Sutherland.The king has decreed that ye must answer for your brother's actions."
The blood drained from Bella's face."Why?How?"
Abbess Bethóc reached across the desk and took Bella's trembling hands in her own."'Tis the king's express wish that ye are to wed.Immediately."
The room tilted.Bella's voice rose in panic."I dinnae want to wed.I'll take my vows!I'll become a sister.Please, Mother Abbess, dinnae send me away!"
"Hush now, Bella.Calm down and I shall explain everything."
Bella listened as Abbess Bethóc detailed Bryce's crimes.He'd defied the king's explicit commands regarding a peace treaty with the MacKay clan.Bella's marriage was intended as part of the restitution and a way to bring the Sutherlands to heel.
"But why me?"Bella demanded, her voice breaking."I've done nothing wrong.'Twas Bryce who created all this turmoil.Why must I be the one to suffer for his actions?"
"Aye, 'tis very unfair.But your brother's actions put your entire clan at risk.The king must show he will not tolerate such treachery from any clan."
"But surely they cannot expect me to be punished for his crimes.I would never wish harm on anyone.I've spent years in service."
"I'm sorry, Bella.All has been arranged.Yer groom arrived this morn."
The blood drained from Bella's face."He's here?Who is it?Who am I to wed?"
The abbess took a deep breath."Ye are to marry a warrior.The king's man as reward for his years of loyal service.They call him the Monk."
Bella gripped the arms of her chair so tightly her knuckles went white.
"No," she breathed."No, it cannot be."
Even here, within these sacred walls, they had heard the stories.The Monk was the king's most feared warrior.Aptly named because he was a zealot when it came to brutally punishing enemies of the king.The villagers whispered that he had no soul.No emotions.
Bella began to shake uncontrollably."Abbess Bethóc, I cannot.The stories they tell of this man."
"I ken the stories, lass.But ye must remember, warriors gain fearsome reputations.It does not mean they are true."
"They say he's a monster."Bella's voice cracked with terror."How can the king expect me to marry such a creature?"
Abbess Bethóc squeezed her hands."Bella, listen to me—"
"No."Bella pulled away and got to her feet, her training instincts taking over as she began to pace the small chamber.Her mind was racing, grasping at anything."But who is he really?What is his name?"
A movement near the doorway alerted her to danger.Bella turned, her entire body trembling, and she watched as a figure detached itself from the shadows and stepped into the light.
Bella froze.The air leaving her lungs as her brain tried to reconcile the person standing before her.
He was taller than she remembered.Broader.The boy she'd loved had been solid and strong from forge work, but this man was built like a warrior, all hard muscle and battle scars.His hair was longer, touching his collar.His hands, those hands that had once held hers so gently now looked like they could crush stone.
But it was his eyes that pierced her soul.Eyes that used to look upon her with such tenderness, such love.Now they were ice cold.His gaze swept over her in a way that made heat rise to her cheeks.She saw the exact moment he registered her clothing.His eyes narrowed.Bella watched something flicker across his face.His gaze lingered on the curve of her waist, her ample chest, before traveling back up to meet her eyes.For a heartbeat, she saw heat in those blue depths.Something primal and hungry that made her breath catch.Then it was gone, replaced by that terrible mask of cold indifference.
