Of Forever, and the Lies Beneath

Marriages at this court are handed down by imperial decree, and an alliance with a neighboring kingdom can be settled by sending a woman across the border to marry its king. Sylvia Levin is a general who fights at the front herself. She takes a blade meant for Henry Nash and loses the use of her right arm. Henry promises to come for her with ten li of wedding procession, then leaves on his own. Three days later he is back at the house with Gloria Reed. Sylvia cuts the tie between them and accepts the decree that marries her out of the country. On the road her bridal train meets Henry's, which is carrying Gloria to her own wedding. Henry takes the meeting for a scheme to force him into marrying Sylvia. He and Gloria beat her and humiliate her in front of everyone there. The king she has been sent to marry reaches her while she is still down.