Chapter 7: The Ford

The Silver Ford ran shallow and fast, clear as glass over round stones.

On the Lowmarch bank, two thousand soldiers stood in rows under red banners.

On the Wildlands bank, the Red Ridge chief's riders sat their horses on the ridge, and said nothing.

Marit rode down to the water alone.

She wore her wheat-colored gown and a gray cloak, with no weapon on her.

Torren had argued for an hour.

He had argued with his jaw tight.

When she would not bend, he had kissed her hard at the gate.

"If he touches you, I burn his kingdom," he had said.

She believed him.

That made it easier to be brave.

A pavilion of gold cloth stood on the far bank.

Her father sat in front of it on a carved chair.

His circlet shone on his gray head, and his red velvet spilled around him.

King Edric had always taken up more room than he needed.

Beside him in the mud stood a little cart with an iron-barred window.

Odile's pale face looked out between the bars.

Marit's breath caught.

"Father," she called across the water.

"Daughter." Edric's heavy voice carried easily. "I wondered if you had any shame left."

"Release Odile."

"Cross the ford."

"No."

A stir went through the soldiers.

Edric lifted his hand lazily.

A captain stepped forward, drew a dagger and set it against the cart bars, an inch from Odile's cheek.

Odile whimpered.

Marit's hands curled into fists, but her voice stayed even.

Keep reading free with an account. Start Swapped Bride: Awakening of the True Princess from Chapter 1, then sign up free to read the rest of this chapter.