After their recent loss, Carrillo advices Isabel to continue the war and Chacón to seek peace. Enrique finds betrayal in a place he didn't expect. Chacón worries as Gonzalo and Isabel compare their feelings for each other.

Isabel and Enrique debate peace terms at Guisando. King Juan II of Aragon, seeking Castilian support against France, sends his emissary Peralta to negotiate the marriage of his heir Fernando - to Juan Pacheco's daughter.

Isabel debates her marriage options. Her supporters want her to marry Fernando, and Enrique, the King of France's brother. Pacheco and the King count as an advantage that the devout princess won't lie to them.

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.

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.

King Juan convinces the new Pope to sign the bull authorizing Isabel and Fernando's marriage. Rome's envoy, Cardinal Borgia, also must propose a new Castilian cardinal - a position that Carrillo and Pedro Mendoza strive for.

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's decision to take the Crown while Fernando is in Aragon angers him, a division that Carrillo is eager to use. Meanwhile, Diego Pacheco seeks support from Portugal and the nobles to dethrone Isabel in favor of Juana.

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.

Fernando besieges Burgos while the Portuguese try to send a relief column to the rebels. Meanwhile, Isabel balances the conflicting interests of the Aristocracy, the Church and the Jews to finance the war.

Isabel debates showing mercy to the rebels when the new bread tax causes an uprising in Segovia. Chacón ponders retirement. Juana feels imprisoned during her husband's absence and seeks solace in her stepson, the Prince of Portugal.

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.

Fernando lays siege to Malaga, El Zagal's stronghold and richest city in Granada, while the Muslims appeal to their brethren outside Europe. Isabel receives the two queens of Granada.

Just as the Granada War nears its end, Prince Juan's sudden illness threatens to give Isabel and Fernando's kingdoms to the Portuguese. Columbus retouches his plan, and Torquemada investigates a murder.

The ultimatum to Boabdil expires. Isabel and Fernando decide on the future of Granada, the Jews, the dispute with France and Columbus' enterprise.