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“What’s wrong?” Reeve asked.
Bryce shook his head. “Carnoth is here with a few of the king’s men. It seems that the king isn’t recognizing your marriage and insists that Tara honor the agreement her father signed.”
“The king’s cleric wed us,” Tara said.
“That’s the problem,” Bryce said. “The king claims he never gave the cleric permission, and that your vows are invalid.
“We gather our warriors just in case,” Bryce said, worry lingering in the corners of his eyes. He walked to the door. “Hurry, we need to see this done.”
Tara rushed into her garments with as much speed as Reeve. She didn’t waste time on her hair; she let the black ringlets fall where they might. And after grabbing their cloaks, they joined hands and hurried to the keep.
Neither spoke, neither had to. They both knew that nothing, absolutely nothing would separate them.
“What nonsense is this?” Reeve demanded, as they approached her father as soon as they entered the great hall.
Tara remained by his side, her eyes wide and alert. She would protect her husband however she could.
King Carnoth stepped forward. “It is King Kenneth’s doing.”
“How did he learn of this so fast?” Reeve demanded.
“He is not far,” the soldier beside Carnoth said. “He had planned to surprise his new bride and was met with the troubling news. But it matters not; Carnoth promised her to the king, and to the king she goes.”
“Not going to happen,” Reeve said vehemently.
“You have no choice,” the soldier protested. “She is the property of King Kenneth.”
“Tara is my wife,” Reeve argued.
“Not according to King Kenneth, and the king’s word is law,” the soldier said.
Before the argument escalated, Tara stepped forward. “Father, can I speak with you?”
Carnoth nodded, and Tara stepped away from her husband, her father following her to a discreet corner in the hall to talk privately.
“King Kenneth cares naught for me. He wishes nothing more than my bride price. Pay the king and free me.”
“Get it from your husband,” Carnoth snarled low.
“That is his to keep,” Tara said. “Besides, your coffers spill over, you have more than enough money to give the king and still have a sizeable amount left.”
“And it stays that way,” Carnoth said in a threatening tone.
“Not if I inform the guard of your hefty coffers. I’m sure he would be rewarded with bringing the king such good news.”
“If King Kenneth found out, he would take until I was bone-dry,” Carnoth complained.
“Unless you simply pay him the bride price and be done with it. He’s not interested in me. He wants only the money. You will free yourself, and you will free me with this charitable expression, or–” She shrugged. “I speak up. Something you have not let me do for a very long time.”
“You are no daughter to me,” Carnoth spat.
“You’re right, Father,” Tara said sadly. “I am no longer your daughter.”
She stepped away from him and returned to Reeve, his arm going possessively around her waist.
“Take me to the king,” Carnoth balked. “I have an offer I know he will not refuse.”
When her father and the soldier left, Reeve asked, “What did you say to him?”
