Queen Isabel's health shows no signs of improvement. Those in power continue to jockey for their place in a future Spain that may be forced to go on without her.
Cabrera convinces the King to receive Isabel and Fernando in Segovia. Away from the Court, Pacheco offers Queen Juana his support while he plots to kidnap Isabel and her daughter.
Isabel visits Seville, Castile's richest city but also a place plagued by crime and corruption. Juan II accuses Fernando of caring more for his wife's kingdom than for his. A border incident sours relations between Castile and Granada.
Isabel and Fernando marry in Valladolid with the support of several nobles and are acclaimed by the people. However they are cousins and the marriage needs a Papal bull to be valid.
The King's long absence throws Portugal in confusion, but Isabel and Fernando are no less divided over their next move. Rome pressures Castile to adopt the Inquisition. In Granada, the jealous Aixa plots against the Emir.
Reconciled, Fernando and a pregnant Isabel face their biggest test yet as the Portuguese invade Castile. King Alfonso marries Juana to reinforce her claim, but is reluctant to consummate the marriage as his supporters insist him to.
When Juana's situation with Philip becomes desperate, her advisers urge her to return to Castile. Plus, relations with the Muslims in Granada reach a breaking point.
Philip is sent to France to negotiate, while Aragon recuperates his army under this guise of diplomacy. Juana grows madder with the absence of her husband.
Fernando travels under disguise to meet Isabel in Valladolid, keeping an eye out for bandits and Pacheco's men. Isabel grows afraid as the time to sleep in the wedding bed comes near. Gonzalo can't hide his jealousy.
Columbus' voyage is a success but a storm forces him to land on Portugal. The royals travel to Barcelona to sign a treaty with France, who ambitions to conquer Naples. The queen meets her new confessor, and her daughter ponders her future.